Document:

Exhibit 10.14

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

EP INVESTMENTS LLC
 as Company

 

and

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND
 as Investment Manager

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of August 11, 2011

 

 

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 11, 2011 (this “Agreement”), between EP INVESTMENTS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND, a Delaware statutory trust (in such capacity, the “Investment Manager”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to engage the Investment Manager to provide the services described herein, and the Investment Manager desires to provide such services; and

 

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, dated as of August 11, 2011 (together with the Schedule, Credit Support Annex and the Confirmation related thereto, as amended, modified, extended, supplemented or restated from time to time, collectively, the “Swap Agreement”), between the Company and Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Management Services.

 

The Investment Manager will provide the Company with the following services (in accordance with and subject to the applicable requirements of, and the restrictions and limitations set forth in, the Swap Agreement and the Company’s limited liability company agreement (the “LLC Agreement”)):

 

(a)           selecting the specific Reference Obligations to be included in the portfolio of obligations subject to the Swap Agreement (the “Portfolio”);

 

(b)           with respect to any action submitted to a vote of the holders of the applicable Reference Obligations as to which the Investment Manager and/or the Company is opposed, to the extent Citibank holds such Reference Obligations, requesting on behalf of the Company that Citibank vote against such action (or otherwise withhold its consent);

 

(c)           with respect to Citibank’s exercise (including but not limited to any waiver) of any rights (including but not limited to voting rights and rights arising in connection with the bankruptcy or insolvency of an underlying obligor of any Reference Obligation (each, an “Underlying Obligor”) or the consensual or non-judicial restructuring of the debt or equity of an Underlying Obligor) or remedies in connection with any Reference Obligations held by Citibank and participating in the committees (official or otherwise) or other groups formed by creditors of an Underlying Obligor, requesting or electing not to request on behalf of the Company that Citibank exercise such rights or remedies;

 

(d)           from time to time on or after the termination of the Swap Agreement, determining the specific debt obligations or other assets to be purchased or sold by the Company;

 

 

(e)           from time to time on or after the termination of the Swap Agreement, effecting the purchase and sale of debt obligations or other assets to be purchased or sold by the Company;

 

(f)            monitoring the ratings of the Reference Obligations;

 

(g)           determining whether each Loan to be included in the Portfolio meets the Obligation Criteria;

 

(h)           in the event that the Swap Agreement is amended to include portfolio-level criteria, determining whether the Portfolio of Reference Obligations meets such criteria;

 

(i)            monitoring the Reference Obligations on an ongoing basis;

 

(j)            causing the Company to deliver Eligible Collateral to Citibank in such amounts and at such times as may be required by the Swap Agreement;

 

(k)           determining whether to terminate one or all of the Transactions;

 

(l)            notifying Citibank and the Company in writing of an Event of Default or Termination Event under the Swap Agreement within one (1) Business Day after the Investment Manager has actual knowledge of the occurrence thereof;

 

(m)          arranging for the sale of any Reference Obligations held by Citibank to the extent provided by Clause 4(a) of the Confirmation constituting part of the Swap Agreement;

 

(n)           delivering notices and instructions to Citibank as required by the Swap Agreement; and

 

(o)           directing the Company to comply with such other duties and responsibilities as may be expressly required of the Company by the Swap Agreement.

 

The Company agrees for the benefit of the Investment Manager and Citibank to follow the lawful instructions and directions of the Investment Manager in connection with the Investment Manager’s services hereunder.

 

The Investment Manager shall use reasonable care in rendering its services hereunder, using a degree of skill and attention no less than that which the Investment Manager exercises with respect to comparable assets that it manages for itself and for others in accordance with its existing practices and procedures which the Investment Manager reasonably believes to be consistent with those followed by institutional managers of national standing relating to assets of the nature and character of the Reference Obligations, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement or the Swap Agreement.  Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, the Investment Manager shall follow its customary standards, policies, and procedures in performing its duties hereunder and under the Swap Agreement.  The Investment Manager shall comply with and perform all the duties and functions that have been specifically delegated to it under this

 

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Agreement and the Swap Agreement.  The Investment Manager shall not be bound to follow any amendment to the Swap Agreement, however, until it has received a copy of the amendment from the Company or Citibank and, in addition, the Investment Manager shall not be bound by any amendment to the Swap Agreement which adversely affects in any material respects the obligations of the Investment Manager unless the Investment Manager shall have consented thereto in writing.  The Company agrees that it will not permit any amendment to the Swap Agreement that adversely affects the duties or liabilities of the Investment Manager to become effective unless the Investment Manager has been given prior written notice of such amendment and consented thereto in writing.

 

To the extent necessary or appropriate to perform all of the duties to be performed by it hereunder, the Investment Manager shall have the power to negotiate, execute and deliver all necessary documents and instruments on behalf of the Company with respect to the rights and obligations of the Company under the Swap Agreement.

 

The Investment Manager shall have no obligation to perform any duties other than those specified herein or in the Swap Agreement.

 

2.             Brokerage.

 

The Investment Manager shall use reasonable efforts to obtain the best prices and execution for all sales arranged with respect to any Reference Obligations pursuant to the Swap Agreement, and all assets of the Company, considering all circumstances.  Subject to the objective of obtaining best prices and execution, the Investment Manager may take into consideration research and other brokerage services furnished to the Investment Manager or its Affiliates by brokers and dealers which are not Affiliates of the Investment Manager.  Such services may be used by the Investment Manager or its Affiliates in connection with its other advisory activities or investment operations.  The Investment Manager may aggregate sales and purchase orders of securities placed with respect to the Reference Obligations, and all assets of the Company, with similar orders being made simultaneously for other accounts managed by the Investment Manager or with accounts of the Affiliates of the Investment Manager, if in the Investment Manager’s sole judgment such aggregation shall result in an overall economic benefit to the Company taking into consideration the selling or purchase price, brokerage commission and other expenses.  In accounting for such aggregated order price, commission and other expenses shall be averaged on a per position basis.

 

The Company acknowledges that the determination of any such economic benefit by the Investment Manager is subjective and represents the Investment Manager’s evaluation at the time that the Company will be benefited by better purchase or sales prices, lower commission expenses and beneficial timing of transactions or a combination of these and other factors.  When any aggregate sales or purchase orders occur, the objective of the Investment Manager (and any of its Affiliates involved in such transactions) shall be to allocate the executions among the accounts in an equitable manner.

 

Subject to the Investment Manager’s execution obligations described herein, the Investment Manager is hereby authorized to effect client cross-transactions where the Investment Manager causes a transaction to be effected between the Company and another account advised

 

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by it or any of its Affiliates; provided that, if and to the extent required by the Advisers Act, such authorization is terminable at the Company’s option without penalty, effective upon receipt by the Investment Manager of written notice from the Company.  In addition, the Company hereby consents to, and authorizes the Investment Manager to enter into, agency cross-transactions where it or any of its Affiliates acts as broker for the Company and for the other party to the transaction, to the extent permitted under applicable law; provided that the Company shall have the right to revoke such consent at any time by written notice to the Investment Manager.

 

3.             The Representations and Warranties of the Company.

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Investment Manager that:

 

(a)           the Company has been duly organized and is validly existing under the laws of Delaware, has the full power and authority to own its assets and the obligations proposed to be owned by it and to transact the business in which it is presently engaged and is duly qualified under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires, or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the Swap Agreement would require, such qualification, except for failures to be so qualified, authorized or licensed that would not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company;

 

(b)           the Company has full corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, the Swap Agreement and all obligations required hereunder and under the Swap Agreement, and the performance of all obligations imposed upon it hereunder and thereunder;

 

(c)           this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms except that the enforceability thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, receivership, conservatorship or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

(d)           no consent, approval, authorization or order of or declaration or filing with any government, governmental instrumentality or court or other person is required for the performance by the Company of its duties hereunder, except such as have been duly made or obtained;

 

(e)           neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof conflicts with or results in a material breach or violation of any of the material terms or provisions of or constitutes a material default under (i) the Company’s certificate of formation, operating agreement or other constituent documents, (ii) the terms of any material indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note, agreement or other evidence of indebtedness or other material agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company is a party or is bound, (iii) any

 

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statute applicable to the Company, or (iv) any law, decree, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any court or regulatory, administrative or governmental agency, body or authority or arbitrator having or asserting jurisdiction over the Company or its properties, and which would have a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Company of its duties under this Agreement;

 

(f)            neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates are in violation of any U.S. federal or state securities law or regulation promulgated thereunder and there is no charge, investigation, action, suit or proceeding before or by any court or regulatory agency pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened that would have a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Company of its duties under this Agreement;

 

(g)           the Company has not engaged in any transaction that would result in the violation of, or require registration as an investment company under, the Investment Company Act;

 

(h)           the Company is not required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act; and

 

(i)            there is no charge, investigation, action, suit or proceeding before or by any court pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened that, if determined adversely to the Company, would have a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Company of its duties under, or on the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or the provisions of the Swap Agreement applicable to the Company thereunder.

 

4.             Representations and Warranties of the Investment Manager.

 

The Investment Manager represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

(a)           the Investment Manager is a duly organized and validly existing Delaware statutory trust and has the full power and authority to transact the business in which it is presently engaged and is duly qualified under the laws of each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires, or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the provisions of the Swap Agreement applicable to the Investment Manager would require, such qualification, except for failures to be so qualified, authorized or licensed which would not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Investment Manager, or on the ability of the Investment Manager to perform its obligations under, or on the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the Swap Agreement;

 

(b)           the Investment Manager has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all of its obligations hereunder and under the Swap Agreement;

 

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(c)           this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investment Manager and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Investment Manager, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except that the enforceability thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

(d)           neither the Investment Manager nor any of its Affiliates is in violation of any federal or state securities law or regulation promulgated thereunder or any material listing requirements of any exchange on which it is listed and there is no charge, investigation, action, suit or proceeding before or by any court, exchange or regulatory agency pending or, to the best knowledge of the Investment Manager, threatened, that in either case would have a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Investment Manager of its duties under this Agreement;

 

(e)           neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the performance of the terms hereof or the provisions of the Swap Agreement applicable to the Investment Manager, conflicts with or results in a material breach or violation of any of the material terms or provisions of, or constitutes a material default under, (i) its declaration of trust, bylaws or other constituent document, (ii) the terms of any material indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement or other evidence of indebtedness or other material agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Investment Manager is a party or is bound, (iii) any statute applicable to the Investment Manager, or (iv) any law, decree, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Investment Manager of any court or regulatory, administrative or governmental agency, body or authority or arbitrator having or asserting jurisdiction over the Investment Manager or its properties, and which would have, in the case of any of clauses (ii) through (iv) of this paragraph (e), a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Investment Manager of its duties under this Agreement or the provisions of the Swap Agreement applicable to the Investment Manager; and

 

(f)            no consent, approval, authorization or order of or declaration or filing with any government, governmental instrumentality or court or other person is required for the performance by it of its duties hereunder, except such as have been duly made or obtained.

 

5.             Expenses.

 

The Investment Manager shall pay all expenses and costs (including salaries, rent and other overhead) incurred by it in connection with its services under this Agreement; provided that the Investment Manager shall not be liable for and the Company shall be responsible for the payment of (i) expenses and costs of legal advisers (including reasonable expenses and costs associated with the use of internal legal counsel of the Investment Manager), consultants and other professionals retained by the Company or by the Investment Manager, on behalf of the Company, in connection with the services provided by the Investment Manager pursuant to this Agreement and the Swap Agreement, (ii) the reasonable cost of asset pricing and asset rating

 

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services, and accounting, programming and data entry services that are retained in connection with services of the Investment Manager under this Agreement, (iii) travel expenses (airfare, meals, lodging and other transportation) incurred by the Investment Manager as is reasonably necessary in connection with the selection of Reference Obligations to be included in the Portfolio and the negotiation, documentation, default or restructuring of any Reference Obligation held by Citibank, and (iv) any extraordinary costs and expenses incurred by the Investment Manager in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the Swap Agreement.  To the extent that such expenses are incurred in connection with obligations that are also held by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager shall allocate the expenses among the accounts in a fair and equitable manner.  Any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5 shall be reimbursed by the Company to the extent funds are available therefor.

 

6.             Fees.

 

(a)           The Company shall pay to the Investment Manager, for services rendered and performance of its obligations under this Agreement fees which are payable in arrears on the fifth Business Day following the last day of each Quarterly Period (subject to availability of funds) in an amount equal to 0.35% per annum of the Portfolio Notional Amount measured as of the last day of the related Quarterly Period immediately preceding such payment date (the “Management Fees”).  The Management Fees will be calculated on the basis of a calendar year consisting of 360 days and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(b)           The Investment Manager may, in its sole discretion, (i) waive all or any portion of the Management Fees or (ii) defer all or any portion of the Management Fees.  Such deferred amounts will become payable on the next Payment Date in the same manner and priority as their original characterization would have required unless deferred again.

 

(c)           If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11 hereof or otherwise, the Management Fees calculated as provided in Section 6(a) hereof shall be prorated for any partial periods between Payment Dates during which this Agreement was in effect and shall be due and payable, along with any deferred Management Fees, on the first Payment Date following the effective date of such termination.

 

(d)           The Management Fees will be payable from the assets of the Company.  If on any payment date there are insufficient funds to pay the Management Fees then due in full, the amount not so paid shall be deferred without interest and shall be payable on the next payment date, if any, on which any funds are available therefor.

 

(e)           The Investment Manager hereby agrees not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Company for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, the non-payment of the Management Fees, except in accordance with the provisions of Section 20 hereof.

 

7.             Non-Exclusivity.

 

The services of the Investment Manager to the Company are not to be deemed

 

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exclusive, and the Investment Manager shall be free to render asset management or management services to other Persons (including Affiliates, other investment companies, and clients having objectives similar to those of the Company).  It is understood and agreed that the officers and directors of the Investment Manager may engage in any other business activity or render services to any other Person or serve as partners, officers or directors of any other firm or corporation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that the Investment Manager will at no time render any services to, or in any way participate in the organization or operation of, any investment company or other entity if such actions would require the Company to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.  Subject to Section 9 hereof, it is understood and agreed that information or advice received by the Investment Manager and officers or directors of the Investment Manager hereunder shall be used by such organization or such persons to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

8.             Conflicts of Interest.

 

The Investment Manager may, subject to applicable legal requirements, direct the Company (i) to select any Reference Obligations to be included in the Portfolio, (ii) to notify Citibank of its election to terminate one or more Transactions, or (iii) to acquire any Reference Obligations from Citibank in connection with the termination of the Swap Agreement to the extent permitted by Clause 4 of the Confirmation constituting part of the Swap Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, various potential and actual conflicts of interest may arise from the overall investment activity of the Investment Manager and its Affiliates.  The Investment Manager, its Affiliates and their respective clients may invest in obligations that would be appropriate for inclusion in the Portfolio.  Such investments may be different from the Reference Obligations selected by the Company under the Swap Agreement.  The Investment Manager and its Affiliates may have ongoing relationships with, and may own equity or debt obligations issued by, companies that are the Underlying Obligors of the Reference Obligations.  The Investment Manager and its Affiliates and the clients of the Investment Manager or its Affiliates may invest in obligations that are senior to, or have interests different from or adverse to, the Reference Obligations.  The Investment Manager may serve as Investment Manager for, invest in, or be affiliated with, other entities organized to enter into total return swap transactions.  The Investment Manager may at certain times be simultaneously seeking to purchase or sell investments for other entities for which it serves as Investment Manager, or for its clients and Affiliates, and selecting such investments as Reference Obligations to be included in the Portfolio.  Furthermore, the Investment Manager and/or its Affiliates may make an investment on their behalf or on behalf of any account that they manage or advise without selecting such investment opportunity as a Reference Obligation to be included in the Portfolio.

 

The Company hereby acknowledges the various potential and actual conflicts of interest that may exist with respect to the Investment Manager; provided that nothing in this Section 8 shall be construed as altering the duties of the Investment Manager as set forth in this Agreement, the Swap Agreement or the requirements of any law, rule, or regulation applicable to the Investment Manager.

 

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9.             Records; Confidentiality.

 

The Investment Manager shall maintain appropriate books of account and records relating to services performed hereunder, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection by a representative of the Company, Citibank, and independent accountants appointed by the Company at a mutually agreed time during normal business hours and upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior notice.

 

At no time will the Investment Manager make a public announcement concerning the Swap Agreement, the Investment Manager’s role hereunder or any other aspect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Swap Agreement absent the written consent of the Company.

 

The Investment Manager shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential any and all information obtained in connection with the services rendered hereunder and shall not disclose any such information to non-affiliated third parties except (i) with the prior written consent of the Company, (ii) as required by law, regulation, court order or the rules or regulations of any self regulating organization, body or official having jurisdiction over the Investment Manager, (iii) to its professional advisers, (iv) such information as shall have been publicly disclosed other than in violation of this Agreement, (v) the identification of the Company as a client of the Investment Manager, (vi) information related to the performance of the Investment Manager, (vii) information furnished in connection with any successor investment manager or assignee, or any agent that has been assigned duties in accordance with this Agreement, or (viii) such information that was or is obtained by the Investment Manager on a non-confidential basis; provided that the Investment Manager does not know or have reason to know, after due inquiry, of any breach by such source of any confidentiality obligations with respect thereto.  For purposes of this Section 9, Citibank shall in no event be considered a “non-affiliated third party,” and the Investment Manager may disclose any of the aforementioned information to Citibank insofar as such information relates to the Company’s performance of its obligations under the Swap Agreement.

 

10.           Term.

 

This Agreement shall become effective on the date hereof and shall continue unless terminated as hereinafter provided.

 

11.           Termination.

 

(a)           This Agreement may be terminated, and the Investment Manager may be removed, without payment to the Investment Manager of any penalty, for cause upon prior written notice by the Company, acting with the consent of Citibank; provided that such notice may be waived by the Investment Manager.  For this purpose, “cause” will mean the occurrence of any of the following events or circumstances:

 

(i)            the Investment Manager’s breach, in any respect, of any provision of this Agreement or the Swap Agreement applicable to it (except for any breach that has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the Company or Citibank) and the Investment Manager’s failure to cure

 

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such breach within 30 days of its becoming aware of, or receiving notice of, the occurrence of such breach;

 

(ii)           the Investment Manager’s intentional breach of (a) any provision of this Agreement or the Swap Agreement applicable to it relating to the Investment Manager’s or the Company’s obligation to cause the Reference Obligations to comply with (1) the  Obligation Criteria, and (2) in the event that the Swap Agreement is amended to include portfolio-level criteria, such criteria or (b) any other material provision of this Agreement or the Swap Agreement applicable to it, and the Investment Manager’s failure to cure such breach within 15 days of the occurrence of such breach;

 

(iii)          the failure of any representation, warranty, certification or statement made or delivered by the Investment Manager in or pursuant to this Agreement or the Swap Agreement to be correct in any material respect when made, which failure (a) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Citibank and (b) is not corrected by the Investment Manager within 30 days of its receipt of notice from the Company or Citibank of such failure, unless, if such failure is not capable of being cured in 30 days but is curable within 90 days, the Investment Manager has taken action that the Investment Manager in good faith believes will remedy, and does in fact remedy, such failure within 90 days after notice of such failure being given to the Investment Manager;

 

(iv)          the Investment Manager (1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger), (2) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (3) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due, (4) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors, (5) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property or (6) is adjudicated as insolvent or bankrupt, or a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Investment Manager, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, or sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Investment Manager or of any substantial part of its property, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(v)           the occurrence of an Event of Default or Termination Event under the Swap Agreement that results from any breach by the Investment Manager of its duties under the Swap Agreement or this Agreement; or

 

(vi)          the occurrence of an act by the Investment Manager that constitutes fraud or criminal activity in the performance of its obligations under

 

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this Agreement, or the Investment Manager being indicted for a criminal offense materially related to its business of providing asset management services.

 

If any such event occurs, the Investment Manager shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Company and Citibank promptly upon the Investment Manager becoming aware of the occurrence of such event.

 

(b)           The Investment Manager shall have the right to terminate this Agreement only upon 90 days prior written notice to the Company and Citibank, and this Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment by the Investment Manager which is not made in accordance with Sections 13 and 17 of this Agreement.

 

(c)           This Agreement shall be automatically terminated in the event that the Company determines in good faith that the Company or the Company’s asset portfolio has become required to be registered under the provisions of the Investment Company Act.

 

(d)           Within 30 days of the resignation or removal of the Investment Manager, the Company may appoint a successor investment manager; provided that Citibank may reject such appointment within 15 days of notice of such appointment.

 

12.           Action Upon Termination.

 

(a)           Upon the effective termination of this Agreement, the Investment Manager shall as soon as practicable:

 

(i)            deliver to the Company all property and documents of the Company or otherwise relating to the Transactions then in the custody of the Investment Manager; and

 

(ii)           deliver to Citibank an account with respect to the books and records delivered to Citibank or the successor investment manager appointed pursuant to Section 11(d).

 

Notwithstanding such termination, the Investment Manager shall remain liable to the extent set forth herein (but subject to Section 13 hereof) for its acts or omissions hereunder arising prior to termination and for any expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims (including reasonable attorney’s fees) in respect of or arising out of a breach of the representations and warranties made by the Investment Manager in Section 4 hereof or from any failure of the Investment Manager to comply with the provisions of this Section 12.

 

(b)           The Investment Manager agrees that, notwithstanding any termination, it shall reasonably cooperate in any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement (each, a “Proceeding”) arising in connection with this Agreement, the Swap Agreement or any of the Company’s assets (excluding any such Proceeding in which claims are asserted against the Investment Manager or any Affiliate of the Investment Manager) so long as the Investment Manager shall have been offered reasonable security,

 

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indemnity or other provisions against the cost, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred in connection therewith and a reasonable per diem fee.

 

13.           Liability of Investment Manager; Delegation.

 

(a)           The Investment Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder and under the terms of the Swap Agreement made applicable to it pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  The Investment Manager shall not be responsible for any action of the Company in declining to follow any advice, recommendation, or direction of the Investment Manager.  The Investment Manager shall have no liability to Citibank or other creditors of the Company, for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any loss arising out of any investment, or for any other act or omission in the performance of its obligations to the Company except for liability to which it would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in performance, or reckless disregard, of its obligations hereunder.  The Investment Manager may delegate to an agent selected with reasonable care, which shall include any Person that is party to a sub-advisory agreement with the Investment Manager or any of its Affiliates as of the date hereof, any or all duties (other than its asset selection or trade execution duties) assigned to the Investment Manager hereunder; provided that no such delegation by the Investment Manager of any of its duties hereunder shall relieve the Investment Manager of any of its duties hereunder nor relieve the Investment Manager of any liability with respect to the performance of such duties.  For the avoidance of doubt, asset selection duties shall include the services described in Section 1(a) hereof.

 

Notwithstanding the above and Section 17, the Investment Manager shall be permitted to assign any or all of its rights and delegate any or all of its obligations to an Affiliate reasonably acceptable to Citibank that (i) will professionally and competently perform duties similar to those imposed upon the Investment Manager under this Agreement and (ii) is legally qualified and has the capacity to act as the Investment Manager under this Agreement.  The Investment Manager shall not be liable for any consequential damages hereunder.

 

(b)           The Company shall reimburse, indemnify and hold harmless the Investment Manager, its directors, officers, agents and employees and any of its Affiliates from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), as are incurred in investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any claim, action, proceeding or investigation with respect to any pending or threatened litigation caused by, or arising out of or in connection with, any acts or omissions of the Investment Manager, its directors, officers, stockholders, agents and employees made in good faith and in the performance of the Investment Manager’s duties under this Agreement or the Swap Agreement except to the extent resulting from such person’s bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or thereunder.  The Investment Manager, its directors, officers, stockholders, agents and employees may consult with counsel and accountants with respect to the affairs of the Company and shall be fully protected and justified, to the extent allowed by law, in acting, or failing to act, if

 

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such action or failure to act is taken or made in good faith and is in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel or accountants.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the obligations of the Company under this Section 13(b) shall be payable from the Company’s assets and are subject to the availability of funds.

 

(c)           The Investment Manager shall reimburse, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its members, manager, officers, agents and employees from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), as are incurred in investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any claim, action, proceeding or investigation with respect o any pending or threatened litigation caused by, or arising out of or in connection with, (i) any acts or omissions of the Investment Manager constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement or under the Swap Agreement and (ii) any breach of the representations and warranties made by the Investment Manger in Section 4 hereof.

 

14.           Obligations of Investment Manager.

 

Unless otherwise required by any provision of the Swap Agreement or this Agreement or by applicable law, the Investment Manager shall not intentionally take any action, which it knows or should know would (a) materially adversely affect the Company for purposes of United States federal or state law or any other law known to the Investment Manager to be applicable to the Company, (b) require registration of the Company or the Company’s assets as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, (c) not be permitted under the Company’s operating agreement or certificate of formation (including, but not limited to, Section 9 thereof), (d) cause the Company to violate the terms of the Swap Agreement, (e) subject the Company to federal, state or other income taxation, or (f) adversely affect the interests of Citibank in any material respect (other than as permitted or required hereunder or under the Swap Agreement, including, without limitation, as may result from the performance of any Reference Obligation), it being understood that in connection with the foregoing the Investment Manager will not be required to make any independent investigation of any facts or laws not otherwise known to it in connection with its obligations under this Agreement and the Swap Agreement or the conduct of its business generally.  The Investment Manager covenants that it shall comply in all material respects with all laws and regulations applicable to it in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement and the Swap Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Investment Manager shall not take any discretionary action that would reasonably be expected to cause an Event of Default or Termination Event under the Swap Agreement.  The Investment Manager covenants that it shall not fail to correct any known misunderstandings regarding the separate identity of the Company and shall not identify itself as a division or department of the Company.

 

15.           No Partnership or Joint Venture.

 

The Company and the Investment Manager are not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing herein shall be construed to make them such partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them.  The Investment Manager’s relation to the Company shall be deemed to be that of an independent contractor.

 

13

 

16.           Notices.

 

Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing and sent by facsimile, confirmed by telephonic communication, or addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice.  Until further notice to the other party it is agreed that the address of the Company and Citibank for this purpose shall be as set forth in the Schedule to the Swap Agreement, and the address of the Investment Manager for this purpose shall be:

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

Cira Centre

2929 Arch Street, Suite 675

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

Attention:  Gerald F. Stahlecker

Telephone:  (215) 495-1169

Facsimile:  (215) 222-4649

Electronic Mail:  jerry.stahlecker@franklinsquare.com

 

All notices are to be effective in accordance with Section 12 of the Swap Agreement.

 

17.           Succession/Assignment.

 

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors to the parties hereto.  No assignment of this Agreement by the Investment Manager (including, without limitation, a change in control or management of the Investment Manager which would be deemed an “assignment” under the United States Advisers Act of 1940, as amended) shall be made without the consent of the Company and Citibank.

 

18.           Conflicts with the Swap Agreement.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 1 hereof pertaining to the binding effect of certain amendments to the Swap Agreement on the Investment Manager, in the event that this Agreement requires any action to be taken with respect to any matter and the Swap Agreement requires that a different action be taken with respect of such matter, and such actions are mutually exclusive, the provisions of the Swap Agreement in respect thereof shall control.

 

19.           Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles.  With respect to any Proceeding, each party irrevocably (i) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City and (ii) waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.  Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction, nor will the

 

14

 

bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(b)           THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OR DELIVERY OF COPIES OF SUCH PROCESS TO EACH SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 16 HEREOF.  THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.

 

(c)           EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(d)           No failure on the part of either party hereto to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence.  No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

 

(e)           The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

(f)            In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provisions hereof.

 

(g)           This Agreement may not be amended or modified or any provision thereof waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

 

(h)           This Agreement and the Swap Agreement contain the entire understanding and agreement between the parties and supersedes all other prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties concerning this subject matter.  The express terms of this Agreement control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.

 

(i)            The Investment Manager (i) consents to, and agrees to perform, the provisions of the Swap Agreement applicable to the Investment Manager, and (ii) agrees

 

15

 

that all of the representations, covenants and agreements made by the Investment Manager in this Agreement are also for the benefit of Citibank.

 

(j)            This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.  This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

 

(k)           Each representation and warranty made or deemed to be made herein or pursuant hereto, and each indemnity provided for hereby, shall survive the execution and delivery and any termination or assignment of this Agreement or resignation or removal of the Investment Manager.

 

(l)            The Company hereby acknowledges and accepts all actions that were taken by the Investment Manager and/or recommended to the Company by the Investment Manager prior to the Closing Date, including all actions and recommendations that were otherwise consistent with the services to be provided by the Investment Manager to the Company pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement prior to the Closing Date, in each case, as if this Agreement had been in effect at the time that such actions were taken or such recommendations were made.

 

20.           Non-Petition.

 

The Investment Manager shall continue to serve as Investment Manager under this Agreement notwithstanding that the Investment Manager shall not have received amounts due to it under this Agreement because sufficient funds were not then available to the Company to pay such amounts, and agrees not to cause the filing of an involuntary petition in bankruptcy against the Company for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, the non-payment to the Investment Manager, until the payment in full of all amounts payable to Citibank or otherwise under the Swap Agreement and the expiration of a period equal to one year and one day (or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect) following all such payments; provided that nothing in this clause shall preclude, or be deemed to estop, the Investment Manager (A) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned one year and one day (or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect) period in (x) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Company or (y) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against the Company, by a Person other than the Investment Manager or its Affiliates, or (B) from commencing against the Company or any properties of the Company any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding.  The provisions of this Section 20 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.

 

21.           No Recourse.

 

The Investment Manager hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s obligations hereunder will be solely the corporate obligations of the Company, and the Investment Manager will not have any recourse to any of the directors, officers, employees,

 

16

 

holders of the membership interest of Company with respect to any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, indemnities or other obligations in connection with any transactions contemplated hereby.  Recourse in respect of any obligations of the Company hereunder will be limited to the Company’s assets and on the exhaustion thereof all claims against the Company arising from this Agreement or any transactions contemplated hereby shall be extinguished.  The provisions of this Section 21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.

 

[signature page follows]

 

17

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT to be executed by their respective authorized representatives on the day and year first above written.

 

	
 
    	
EP   INVESTMENTS LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Gerald F. Stahlecker
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Gerald   F. Stahlecker
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice President
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
FS   ENERGY AND POWER FUND
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Gerald F. Stahlecker
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Gerald   F. Stahlecker
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice Presidentex101.htm

Exhibit 10.1

	
  

	
ARTICLES

Article 1.  Definitions

1.1           ARS means the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

1.2           ZTH means Z Trim Holdings, Inc.

1.3           Agreement means this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.

	
1.4

	
Confidential Information means trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential under the meaning of 5 USC 552(b)(4).

	
1.5

	
Subject Invention means any invention or other intellectual property conceived or first reduced to practice under this Agreement which is patentable or otherwise protectable under Title 35 of the United States Code, under 7 USC 2321, et seq., or under the patent laws of a foreign country.  Specifically not included in the definition of Subject Inventions are inventions made outside the Scope of Agreement or prior to the execution of this Agreement.  Recently ARS and ZTH developed an improved method for converting a fiber-containing substrate into a non-caloric gel of disrupted cellular cellulosic debris.   This method, which will be used in this project, was developed prior to this Agreement and is not a Subject Invention.  Background inventions for this work include:

	
 

	
               1. Moreau, R.A, Hicks, K.B., Nicolosi, R.J., and Norton, R.N. Corn fiber oil its preparation and use.  U. S. Patent 5,843,499.  1998.

2.           Doner, L.W., Sweeney, G.A., and Hicks, K.B.  Isolation of hemicellulose from corn fiber. U.S. Patent 6,147,206.  2000.

 

ZTH has identified varoius Trade Secrets which are background and have been provided in a separate confidential document.

	
1.6  

	
Scope of Agreement means those activities set forth in Schedule 2, entitled “Statement of Work.”

	
1.7

	
Period of the Agreement means that period set forth under the Period of Agreement on the ARS Office of Technology Transfer cover form for the Agreement.

Article 2.  Publications

	
2.1

	
Subject to the requirements of confidentiality and preservation of rights in Subject Inventions, either party may publish the results of this Agreement, PROVIDED:

	
  

	
a.

	
The other party is allowed to review the manuscript at least sixty (60) days prior to submission for publication by submission to the Authorized Agent.

	
  

	
b.

	
The publication shall acknowledge this Agreement and the contributions of each party’s personnel.

	
  

	
c.

	
The final decision as to the publication content rests with the party that writes the publication.

	
2.2

	
Publication and/or other disclosure of the results of this Agreement shall be delayed as necessary to preserve both United States of America and foreign patent rights in a Subject Invention.

a.           Such a delay will only be granted if requested in writing; and

	
b.  

	
The requesting party demonstrates promptness and diligence in seeking patent protection on the Subject Invention.

Article 3.  Confidentiality

	
3.1

	
Confidential Information, which is owned by one party to this Agreement and disclosed to the other, shall be labeled “CONFIDENTIAL” by the submitter and shall not be disclosed by the recipient without permission of the owner, EXCEPT in accordance with Article 2.

	
3.2

	
To the extent either party orally submits its Confidential Information to the other party, the submitting party will prepare a document marked “CONFIDENTIAL” embodying or identifying in reasonable detail such orally submitted Confidential Information and provide the document to the other party within thirty (30) days of disclosure.

	
3.3

	
Neither party shall be bound by confidentiality if the Confidential Information received from the other party:

a.           Already is available to the public or known to the recipient;

b.           Becomes available to the public through no fault of the recipient; or

c.           Is nonconfidentially received from another party legally entitled to it.

 

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Article 4.  Meetings, Reports and Records

	
4.1

	
Frequent and effective communication is essential to the successful accomplishment of the objectives of this Agreement.  To this end, the scientific representatives of ARS and ZTH shall meet (meetings need not be in person if agreed upon) at least once every six (6) months to exchange results, perform critiques, and make plans and recommendations.  Written progress reports shall be supplied by each party to the other at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to each semi-annual meeting.

	
4.2

	
Any such plan or recommendation that is outside the Scope of Agreement shall be reduced to writing and referred to the Authorized Agent of each party for appropriate action.  Any such plan or recommendation so referred shall not be binding upon either party unless incorporated into this Agreement by written amendment.

	
4.3

	
Each party shall keep complete records relating to this research.  All such records shall be available for inspection by either party at reasonable times.  The records, or true copies of them, shall be delivered to either party upon request.

	
4.4

	
The results of this Agreement and research data that are collected, compiled, and evaluated under this Agreement shall be shared and mutually interchanged by ZTH and ARS.

	
4.5

	
A final report summarizing all data shall be submitted by each party, separately or jointly, to both party’s Authorized Agents within sixty (60) days of the completion of this Agreement.

Article 5.  Research Exclusion

	
5.1

	
The results of this Agreement owned or co-owned by the U.S. Government may be made available to others by ARS for bona fide noncommercial research purposes if:

a.           Confidentiality is not breached; or

b.           Patent, Plant Variety Protection Certificate or Biological Material Invention rights are not compromised.

	
5.2

	
Plants and animals, their genetic materials or information relating thereto, or parts thereof, covered by Plant Variety Protection Certificates, Biological Material Inventions, Plant Patents, or Utility Patents, owned or co-owned by ARS, may be made available by ARS to third parties for bona fide research purposes including the development of new animals or plants.

Article 6.  Ownership of Inventions

	
6.1

	
All rights, title, and interest in any Subject Invention made solely by employee(s) of ARS shall be owned by ARS.

	
6.2

	
All rights, title, and interest in any Subject Invention made jointly by at least one (1) employee of ARS and at least one (1) employee of ZTH shall be jointly owned by ARS and ZTH.

	
6.3

	
All rights, title, and interest in any Subject Invention made solely by employees of ZTH shall be owned by ZTH.

Article 7.  Subject Invention Licenses

	
7.1

	
ZTH is granted an option to negotiate an exclusive license in each Subject Invention owned or co-owned by ARS for one or more field(s) of use encompassed by the Scope of Agreement.  This license shall be consistent with the requirements of 35 USC 209(a), 209(b) (manufactured substantially in the U.S.), and 209(f) and other such terms and conditions as may be reasonable under the circumstances, as agreed upon through good faith negotiations between ZTH and ARS  .  For avoidance of doubt, ZTH shall have and retain its undivided interest in Subject Inventions co-owned by ZTH and ZTH shall have the right to use such co-owned subject Inventions for any purpose

7.2           This option shall terminate whenever ZTH fails to:

	
  

	
a.

	
Submit a complete application for an exclusive license within sixty (60) days of being notified by ARS of an Inventions availability for licensing; or

	
  

	
b.

	
Submit a good faith written response to a written proposal of licensing terms within forty-five (45) days of such proposal.

	
7.3

	
ZTH grants ARS, on behalf of the U.S. Government, a royalty free, nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, nontransferable license for any ZTH solely owned Subject Invention.  The purpose of this license shall only be to practice the Subject Invention or have it practiced, by or on behalf of the U.S. Government, for research or other non-commercial U.S. Government purposes.  15 USC 3710a(b)(2).

Article 8.  Subject Invention Information

	
8.1

	
The Authorized Agents or designees of each party shall promptly make written disclosure to each other of each Subject Invention.

	
8.2

	
This information shall be treated in confidence by the receiving party, EXCEPT: it may be shared with those having a need to know.

	
8.3

	
Each party shall provide, when requested by the other, all information in its possession, or true copies thereof, pertaining to a Subject Invention which may be necessary or useful in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent or Plant Variety Protection Certificate applications covering the Subject Invention.

Article 9.  Intellectual Property Protection Applications

	
9.1

	
ARS and ZTH agree to cooperate with the other in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of Patent, Plant Variety Protection Certificate or Biological Material Invention applications on Subject Inventions in the United States of America and any other country.

	
9.2

	
ARS shall provide ZTH’s Authorized Agent or their designee with a copy of any such application on a Subject Invention within fourteen (14) calendar days of filing.

	
9.3

	
ARS shall have the first option to prepare and prosecute Patent, Plant Variety Protection Certificate or Biological Material Invention applications on Subject Inventions that are owned or co-owned by the U.S. Government, which option may be waived in whole or in part.

 

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Article 10.  Use of Name or Endorsements

ZTH shall not in any way state or imply that this Agreement or the results of this Agreement are an endorsement of its organizational units, employees, products, or services except to the extent permission is specifically granted by ARS.

Article 11.  Regulatory Compliance with Government Rules & Regulations

	
11.1

	
ZTH is responsible for obtaining appropriate opinions, permits, or licenses from Federal or State agencies, which regulate research materials, or commercial products that may arise from the research work performed within the Scope of Agreement.

11.2           In carrying out its responsibilities under this Article, ZTH shall:

 

a.           Consult and coordinate regulatory approval actions with ARS; and

	
b.  

	
Give ARS’ Authorized Agent or designee a copy of any applications and opinions, permits, or licenses issued.

	
11.3  

	
Both parties acknowledge and agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service, The Center for Disease Control, and/or Export Control Administration pertaining to possession or transference of technical information, biological materials, pathogens, toxins, genetic elements, genetically engineered microorganisms, vaccines, and the like.

	
  

	 

Article 12.  Liability

It is understood and agreed that neither Party to this Agreement shall be responsible for any damages or injuries arising out of the conduct of activities governed by this Agreement, except to the extent that such damages and/or injuries were caused by the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of its employees, agents or officers.  ARS’ liability shall be limited by the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 USC 2671, et seq.

	
  

	 

Article 13.  Termination

	
13.1

	
Either party may unilaterally terminate this entire Agreement at any time by giving the other party written notice not less then sixty (60) calendar days prior to the desired termination date.

	
13.2

	
Articles 2. “Publications”, 3. “Confidentiality”, 6. “Ownership of Inventions”, 7. “Subject Invention Licenses”, 10. “Use of Name or Endorsements”, and 12. “Liability” shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

	
13.3

	
If either party unilaterally terminates this Agreement pursuant to Article 13.1, each party shall return to the other or destroy, as shall be then agreed, any and all data and materials originated or provided by one party to the other that is still in the receiving party’s possession within 30 days of termination.

Article 14.  Availability of Appropriations

The continuance of this Agreement is subject to the passage by the Congress of the United States of an appropriation of funds from which expenditures may legally be made to cover ARS’ contributions.

Article 15.  Disputes

	
15.1

	
Any dispute arising under this Agreement, which cannot be readily resolved, shall be submitted jointly to the Authorized Agents, identified in Article 16 of these General Provisions.

	
15.2

	
Each party agrees to seek in good faith to resolve the issue through negotiation or other forms of nonbinding dispute resolution processes mutually acceptable to the parties.

	
15.3

	
Pending the resolution of any dispute or claim pursuant to Article 15, the parties agree that performance of all obligations shall be pursued diligently.

Article 16.  Notices and Authorized Agents

Notices between the parties and copies of correspondence among the scientific and/or technical representatives of each party that interpret or may have a bearing on the legal effect of this Agreement’s terms and conditions shall be sent to the Authorized Agents.  Referencing Agreement Number 58-3K95-X-XXX thereon, send copies to:

ARS’ Authorized Agent                                                           ZTH’s Authorized Agent

Robert Griesbach                                                               Brian Chaiken

USDA-ARS-OTT                                                               Z Trim Holdings, Inc.

5601 Sunnyside Avenue                                                           1011 Campus Drive

Beltsville, Maryland  20705-5131                                              Mundelein, Illinois  60060

Tel.:  (301) 504-6905                                                               Tel.:  (847) 549-6002

Fax:  (301) 504-5060                                                               Fax:  (847) 549-6146

E-mail:  crada.ott@nps.ars.usda.gov                                       E-mail:  BrianChaiken@ztrim.com

Article 17.  Limitation on ARS’ Scientific Representative’s Authority

ARS’ Scientific Representative, also known as the Authorized Departmental Officer’s Designated Representative (“ADODR”), is authorized to perform the research and development falling within the Scope of Agreement.  This individual is not authorized to change or interpret with authority the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Article 18.  Assignments

	
18.1

	
Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations of the parties hereto shall be assigned or otherwise transferred by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

	
18.2

	
In no case shall ZTH assign or transfer this Agreement to a party not a citizen or legal resident of the United States.

	
18.3

	
ARS is an agency of the U.S. Government and any rights or obligations created under this Agreement are freely transferable within the U.S. Government and shall not be deemed an “assignment” as contemplated by this Article 18.

Article 19.  Relationship of Parties

	
19.1

	
ARS and ZTH act in their independent capacities in the performance of their respective functions under this Agreement and neither party is to be considered the officer, agent, or employee of the other.

	
19.2

	
Each party shall allow, consistent with policies and procedures of ARS and the ZTH, access to their facilities, as needed.

	
19.3

	
Each party shall separately assign personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, and facilities, as needed and available to meet respective responsibilities hereunder, such resources to remain the property of the assignor.

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Article 20.  Force Majeure

	
20.1

	
Neither party shall be liable for any unforeseeable event beyond its reasonable control not caused by the fault or negligence of such party:

	
  

	
a.

	
Which causes the party to be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement; and

b.           Which it has been unable to overcome by the exercise of due diligence.

	
  

	
c.

	
This includes, but is not limited to, flood, drought, earthquake, storm, fire, pestilence, lightning and other natural catastrophes, epidemic, war, riot, civil disturbance or disobedience, strikes, labor dispute, failure, or sabotage of either Party’s facilities or any order or injunction made by a court or public agency.

	
20.2

	
In the event of the occurrence of such force majeure event, the party unable to perform shall promptly notify the other party.  It shall also:

a.           Use its best efforts to resume performance as quickly as possible;

	
  

	
b.

	
Suspend performance only for such period of time as is necessary as a result of the force majeure event.

 

Article 21.  Amendment

	
21.1

	
If either party desires a modification in this Agreement, the parties shall confer in good faith to determine the desirability of such modification.

	
21.2

	
Such modification shall not be effective until a written amendment is signed by the Authorized Agents of both Parties.

Article 22.  Severability

The illegality or invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not impair, affect, or invalidate the other provisions of this Agreement.

Article 23.  Ambiguities

ARS and ZTH agree that each Party has reviewed this Agreement and that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not apply to the interpretation of this Agreement.

Article 24.  Officials Not To Benefit

	
24.1

	
No Delegate to or Member of the Congress of the United States of America shall have a part of or benefit from this Agreement.

	
24.2

	
This requirement does not include corporations if this Agreement is entered into for the corporation’s general benefit.

Article 25.  Subcontracting Approval

	
25.1

	
A party hereto desiring to obtain and use the services of a third party via contract or otherwise shall give prior notice to the other party, including details of the contract or other arrangement.

	
25.2

	
This requirement is to assure that confidentiality is not breached and rights in Subject Inventions are not compromised.

Article 26.  Governing Law

The construction, validity, performance, and effect of this entire Agreement shall be governed by the laws applicable to the Government of the United States of America as practiced in the Federal Courts located in the District of Columbia.

Article 27.  Entire Agreement

	
27.1

	
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between ZTH and ARS and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between them with respect to its subject matter.

	
27.2

	
Any representations, promise, or condition in connection with such subject matter, which is not incorporated in this Agreement, shall not be binding upon either party.

	
27.3

	
No modification, renewal, extension, waiver, or termination of this Agreement or any of its provisions shall be binding upon the party against whom enforcement of such modification, renewal, extension, waiver, or termination is sought, unless made in writing and signed on behalf of such party by that party’s Authorized Agent.

	
27.4

	
As used herein, the word “termination” includes any and all means of bringing to an end prior to its expiration by its own terms of this Agreement, or any provision thereof, whether by release, discharge, abandonment, or otherwise.

Article 28.  Conduct of ZTH’s Employees

	
28.1

	
ZTH’s employee(s) while engaged in work upon or in an ARS facility shall abide by ARS’ “rules of the workplace.”

	
28.2

	
Such rules address conduct, hours of work, laboratory procedures, equipment operating standards, research notebooks, etc.

	
28.3

	
ARS’ Scientific Representative shall respond to ZTH when queried concerning the details of ARS’ “rules of the workplace.”

Article 29.  Insurance

ZTH shall provide Workers Compensation and other insurance coverage in types and amounts sufficient to protect the Federal Government’s interest from damage claims resulting from ZTH’s use of ARS facilities, equipment, materials, and supplies.

Article 30.  Supervision of ZTH’s Employee(s)

	
30.1

	
ARS may supervise the technical work of ZTH’s employee(s) while at the ARS facility and while engaged in work within the scope of this Agreement.

	
30.2

	
ARS may not interfere in the employer/employee relationship between ZTH and its employee(s).

SCHEDULES OMITTED

 

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