Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

NEW MOUNTAIN GUARDIAN III BDC, L.L.C.

 

AND

 

NEW MOUNTAIN FINANCE ADVISERS BDC, L.L.C.

 

This Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made this 15th day of July 2019, by and between NEW MOUNTAIN GUARDIAN III BDC, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Fund”), and NEW MOUNTAIN FINANCE ADVISERS BDC, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is an investment adviser that is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Adviser to furnish investment advisory services to the Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Adviser wishes to be retained to provide such services;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Duties of the Adviser.

 

(a)           The Fund hereby employs the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Fund and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth. In the performance of its duties, the Adviser shall at all times conform to, and act in accordance with, any requirements imposed by (i) the provisions of the Investment Company Act, and of any rules or regulations in force thereunder, subject to the terms of any exemptive order applicable to the Fund; (ii) any other applicable provision of law; (iii) the provisions of the limited liability company agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) of the Fund, as amended and/or restated from time to time; (iv) the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Fund, as they may be amended from time to time by the Board upon written notice to the Adviser; and (v) any other policies and determinations of the Board provided in writing to the Adviser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, (i) determine the composition of the portfolio of the Fund, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Fund; (iii) execute, monitor and service the Fund’s investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Fund will purchase, retain, or sell; (v) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies; (vi) vote, exercise consents and exercise all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Fund; and (vii) provide the Fund with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Fund may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser shall have the power and authority on behalf of the Fund to effectuate its investment decisions for the Fund, including the execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Fund’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Fund. In the event that the Fund determines to acquire debt financing, the Adviser will arrange for such financing on the Fund’s behalf. If it is necessary for the Adviser to make investments on behalf of the Fund through a special purpose vehicle, the Adviser shall have authority to create or arrange for the creation of such special purpose vehicle and to make such investments through such special purpose vehicle (in accordance with the Investment Company Act).

 

 

(b)           The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services described herein for the compensation provided herein.

 

(c)           The Adviser shall for all purposes herein provided be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.

 

(d)           The Adviser shall keep and preserve for the period required by the Investment Company Act any books and records relevant to the provision of its investment advisory services to the Fund and shall specifically maintain all books and records in accordance with Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act with respect to the Fund’s portfolio transactions and shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and will surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request, provided that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records.

 

2.             Fund’s Responsibilities and Expenses Payable by the Fund.

 

All investment professionals of the Adviser and their respective staffs, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Fund, including salaries of the Adviser’s employees and senior advisors (excluding salary, benefits, directors’ fees, stock options and other compensation received by senior advisors for serving on board of directors, serving in executive management roles or performing the functional equivalent of such roles) and other expenses incurred in maintaining the Adviser’s place of business.

 

The Fund will bear all legal and other expenses costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Fund’s formation and organization and the offering of the units of limited liability company interests of the Fund (“Units”), including (other than any placement fees, which will be borne by the Adviser directly or pursuant to waivers of the management fee) all out-of-pocket legal, tax (including U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes), accounting, printing, data room, consultation, administrative, travel, meal, accommodation and U.S. and non-U.S. filing fees and expenses of the Fund or the Adviser (including with respect to any registration or licensing of the Fund or the Adviser for marketing under any national private placement or similar regime outside of the United States including those in member states of the European Union).

 

In addition to Base Management Fees and Incentive Fee, except as noted above, the Fund will bear all other costs, expenses and liabilities that in the good faith judgment of the Adviser are incurred by or arise out of the operation and activities of the Fund, subject to the above cap, as described further in the LLC Agreement.

 

3.             Compensation of the Adviser.

 

(a)           The Fund agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a base management fee (“Base Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (“Incentive Fee”) as hereinafter set forth. The Fund shall make any payments due hereunder to the Adviser or to the Adviser’s designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser may elect, or the Fund may adopt a deferred compensation plan pursuant to which the Adviser may elect, to defer all or a portion of its fees hereunder for a specified period of time.

 

(b)           The Base Management Fee shall be calculated at an annual rate of 1.15% of the Fund’s Managed Capital (as defined below) as of the last day of the applicable quarter. For the period from the date of this Agreement through June 30, 2020, the Base Management Fee shall be reduced by 50% (for the avoidance of doubt, this results in a Base Management Fee of 0.575% of the Fund’s Managed Capital through June 30, 2020). For services rendered under this Agreement, the Base Management Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. “Managed Capital” means the aggregate Contributed Capital from all Unitholders (including any outstanding borrowings under any subscription line drawn in lieu of capital calls) less any return of capital distributions and less any cumulative realized losses since

 

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inception (calculated net of any subsequently reversed realized losses and net of any realized gains). “Contributed Capital” means, with respect to an investor holding capital commitments, the aggregate amount of capital contributions from such investor’s capital commitments that have been funded by such investor to purchase Units. For the avoidance of doubt, Contributed Capital will not take into account distributions of the Fund’s investment income (i.e., proceeds received in respect of interest payments, dividends or fees, net of expenses) to the investors. Base Management Fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately prorated.

 

(c)           The Incentive Fee shall consist of two parts as follows:

 

(i)            One part of the Incentive Fee (the “Income Incentive Fee”) will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Fund’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Fund receives from Portfolio Companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses payable under the Fund’s administration agreement, and any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding preferred units, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Fund has not yet received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Fund’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 1.75% per quarter (7.0% annualized), subject to a “catch-up” provision measured as of the end of each calendar quarter. The Fund will pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to the Fund’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Fund’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% (the “preferred return” or “hurdle”); (2) 100% of the Fund’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.059% in any calendar quarter (8.235% annualized); this portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.059%) is referred to herein as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide the Adviser with an incentive fee of 15% on all of the Fund’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.059% in any calendar quarter; and (3) 15% of the amount of the Fund’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.059% in any calendar quarter (8.235% annualized) payable to the Adviser once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, (15% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income thereafter is allocated to the Adviser). These calculations will be appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any equity capital raises or repurchases during the relevant calendar quarter.

 

(ii)           The second part of the Incentive Fee (“Incentive Fee on Capital Gains”) will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of this Agreement as set forth below), The Fund will pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to the Fund’s cumulative realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation since inception (“Cumulative Net Realized Gains”) based on the waterfall below:

 

(A) First, no Incentive Fee is payable to the Adviser on Cumulative Net Realized Gains until total return of capital distributions, distributions of net investment income and distributions of net realized capital gains to Unitholders is equal to total Contributed Capital;

 

(B) Second, no incentive is payable to the Adviser on Cumulative Net Realized Gains until the Fund has paid cumulative distributions equal to an annualized, cumulative internal rate of return of 7% on the total contributed capital to the Fund calculated from the date that each such amount was due to be contributed to the Fund until the date each such distribution is paid;

 

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(C) Third, upon a distribution that results in cumulative distributions exceeding the amounts in clause (A) and (B) above, an Incentive Fee on Capital Gains payable to the Adviser equal to 100% of the amount of Cumulative Net Realized Gains until the Adviser has received (together with amounts the Adviser has received under Income Incentive Fees) an amount equal to 15% of the sum of (x) the cumulative distributions to Unitholders made pursuant to clause (B) above, (y) Income Incentive Fee paid to the Adviser and (z) amounts paid to the Adviser pursuant to this clause (C); and

 

(D) Thereafter, an Incentive Fee on Capital Gains equal to 15% of additional undistributed Cumulative Net Realized Gains;

 

provided that, in no event will the Incentive Fee on Capital Gains paid to the Adviser exceed the amount permitted by Section 205(b)(3) of the Advisers Act.

 

(d)           Upon termination of the Fund, the Adviser shall be required to return an amount of the Incentive Fee to the Fund (the “Clawback Amount”) to the extent that: (i) the Adviser has received a cumulative Incentive Fee in excess of 15% of the sum of (A) the Fund’s cumulative distributions other than return of capital contributions and (B) the cumulative Incentive Fee paid to the Adviser; or (ii) the Unitholders have not received a 7% cumulative internal rate of return, in both instances, determined on an aggregate basis covering all transactions of the Fund; provided that in no event shall the Clawback Amount be more than the Incentive Fee received by the Adviser less taxes paid or payable by the Adviser and its direct and indirect owners with respect to such Incentive Fee determined using the Assumed Tax Rate.

 

The “Assumed Tax Rate” will mean the highest combined effective marginal U.S. federal (including Medicare tax), state and local tax rates applicable to individuals that are resident in New York, New York and taking into account deductibility of state and local taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the character of such income and the rate applicable to the imposition of any entity-level taxes.

 

(e)           The Adviser or its Affiliates (as defined in the LLC Agreement) may from time to time receive compensation from a company in which the Fund holds an investment, including monitoring fees, financial arranging services, loan administration or servicing, break-up fees, directors’ fees and/or other similar advisory fees (collectively, “Transaction Fees”). To the extent the Adviser or its Affiliates receive any Transaction Fees, the Base Management Fee (and, if necessary, the Incentive Fee) shall be reduced by the allocable portion of such fees attributable to the Fund, as determined pro rata based on the amount of capital committed to the relevant investment by the Fund, any other funds or accounts managed by the Adviser and its Affiliates and/or any account owned or controlled by the Adviser or an Affiliate.

 

4.             Covenants of the Adviser.

 

(a)           The Adviser represents and warrants that it is duly registered and authorized as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and the Adviser agrees to maintain effective all material requisite registrations, authorizations and licenses, as the case may be, until the termination of this Agreement.

 

(b)           The Adviser agrees that its activities will at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments.

 

5.             Excess Brokerage Commissions.

 

The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Fund to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member,

 

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broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund’s portfolio.

 

6.             Limitations on the Employment of the Adviser.

 

The services of the Adviser to the Fund are not exclusive, and the Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to those of the Fund, so long as its services to the Fund hereunder are not impaired thereby, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith (including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the Fund’s portfolio companies, subject to applicable law). So long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment remains in effect, the Adviser shall be the only investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and Unitholders of the Fund are or may become interested in the Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members, managers or otherwise, and that the Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members and managers of the Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Fund as Unitholders or otherwise.

 

7.             Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees.

 

If any person who is a manager, partner, officer, senior advisor or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator is or becomes a director, officer and/or employee of the Fund and acts as such in any business of the Fund, then such manager, partner, officer, senior advisor and/or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Fund, and not as a manager, partner, officer, senior advisor or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator or under the control or direction of the Adviser or the Administrator, even if paid by the Adviser or the Administrator.

 

8.             Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification.

 

The Adviser and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members (or their owners) and any other person or entity affiliated with it, shall not be liable to the Fund for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services), and the Fund shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Fund or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 8 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, (a) any liability or losses arising solely from a claim between or among Indemnified Parties or (b) any liability to the Fund or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) breach of the LLC Agreement or this Agreement, (ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith, fraud or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder), or (iii) violation of any law, including, but not limited to, violation of any federal or state securities law, that has a material adverse effect on the Fund (collectively, “Disabling Conduct”). The Adviser shall not be liable under this Agreement or otherwise

 

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for any loss due to the mistake, action, inaction, negligence, dishonesty, fraud or bad faith of any broker or other agent; provided that such broker or other agent shall have been selected, engaged or retained and monitored by the Adviser in good faith, unless such action or inaction was made by reason of Disabling Conduct, or in the case of a criminal action or proceeding, where the Adviser had reasonable cause to believe its conduct was unlawful.

 

9.             Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement.

 

(a)           This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (A) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (B) the vote of a majority of the Fund’s directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated (i) by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon giving the Adviser 60 days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Adviser), provided that such termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority of the directors of the Fund in office at the time or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting securities of the Fund at the time outstanding and entitled to vote, or (ii) by the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund (which notice may be waived by the Fund).

 

(b)           This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act).

 

10.          Notices.

 

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

 

11.          Amendments.

 

This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent, but the consent of the Fund must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

 

12.          Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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*              *              *

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.

 

	
 
    	
NEW   MOUNTAIN GUARDIAN III BDC, L.L.C.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Adam Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Adam   Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Director   and Executive Vice President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NEW   MOUNTAIN FINANCE ADVISERS BDC, L.L.C.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Adam Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Adam   Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Authorized Person
    

 

7EXHIBIT 10.2

 

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

This ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of July 15, 2019 by and among New Mountain Guardian III BDC, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Fund”) and New Mountain Finance Administration, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”).  The Fund and the Administrator are sometimes referred to herein separately as a “party” and collectively as the “parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Administrator to provide administrative services to the Fund in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth; and

 

WHEREAS, the Administrator is willing to provide administrative services to the Fund on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Duties of the Administrator

 

(a)           Employment of Administrator.  The Fund hereby employs the Administrator to act as administrator of the Fund, and to furnish, or arrange for others to furnish, the administrative services, personnel and facilities described below, subject to review by and the overall control of the board of directors of the Fund (the “Board of Directors”), with respect to services provided to the Fund (the “Services”) for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.  The Administrator hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such Services to the Fund and to assume the obligations herein set forth subject to the reimbursement of costs and expenses provided for below.  The Administrator and such others shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized herein, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Fund; provided, however, that the Administrator may enter into agreements as an agent of the Fund in furtherance of its responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

(b)           Services.  The Administrator shall perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall provide the Fund with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities. The Administrator shall also, on behalf of the Fund and subject to oversight by the Board of Directors of the Fund, conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and other such persons in any such other capacity

 

 

deemed necessary or desirable.  The Administrator shall make reports to the Board of Directors of the Fund of its performance of its obligations to the Fund hereunder, and furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Fund, as it shall determine to be desirable; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the Administrator to, and the Administrator shall not, provide any advice or recommendation relating to the securities and other assets that the Fund should purchase, retain or sell or any other investment advisory services to the Fund.  The Administrator shall be responsible for the financial and other records that the Fund is required to maintain and shall prepare, print and disseminate reports to Unitholders and reports and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other regulatory authority, which includes, but is not limited to, providing the services of the Fund’s chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, and their respective staffs.  The Administrator will provide on the Fund’s behalf significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which the Fund is required to provide such assistance.  In addition, the Administrator will assist the Fund in determining and publishing its net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of its tax returns, and generally overseeing the payment of the Fund’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund by others.

 

(c)           Retention of Third Party Service Providers.  The Administrator is hereby authorized to enter into one or more agreements with third party service providers as an agent of the Fund (including any sub-administrator) (each, a “Service Provider”) pursuant to which the Administrator may obtain the services of the Service Provider(s) to assist the Administrator in fulfilling its responsibilities to the Fund hereunder.  The Fund shall be responsible for any expenses of a Service Provider engaged by the Administrator and, in the case the Administrator elects to advance any such expenses (for the avoidance of doubt, the Administrator shall not be obligated to advance any expenses), the Fund shall be responsible for reimbursing the Administrator for any expenses incurred by the Administrator on behalf of the Fund with respect to any Service Provider.  Any sub-administration agreement entered into by the Administrator shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and other applicable federal and state law.

 

2.             Records

 

The Administrator agrees to maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Fund that relate to activities performed by the Administrator for the Fund hereunder and will maintain and keep such books, accounts and records in accordance with the Investment Company Act.  In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund shall at all times remain the property of the Fund, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request.  The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above.  Records shall be surrendered in usable electronic form.  The Administrator shall have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.

 

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3.             Confidentiality

 

The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially all information provided by a party to any other party regarding its business and operations.  All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including nonpublic personal information (regulated pursuant to Regulation S-P of the SEC), shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement or any other agreement between the Fund, the Administrator or any of their respective affiliates, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party.  The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority, any authority or legal counsel of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation.

 

4.             Compensation; Allocation of Costs and Expenses

 

In full consideration of the provision of the Services of the Administrator, the Fund shall reimburse the Administrator for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations to the Fund under this Agreement, including the compensation of the Fund’s chief financial officer and chief compliance officer, and their respective staffs, the costs of employee compensation and related taxes, health insurance and other benefits, and such employees’ allocable portion of overhead.  In addition, the Fund shall reimburse any affiliate of the Administrator for any costs and expenses incurred by such affiliate on behalf of the Administrator in connection with the Administrator’s provision of Services to the Fund under this Agreement.  The Fund will bear all costs and expenses that are solely related to its operation, administration and transactions and not specifically assumed by the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), as described further in the limited liability company agreement of the Fund, as amended and/or restated from time to time (the “LLC Agreement”).

 

5.             Limitation of Liability of the Administrator; Indemnification

 

The Administrator, its affiliates and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator, including without limitation any person affiliated with New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. to the extent they are providing services for or otherwise acting on behalf of the Administrator, the Adviser or the Fund, shall not be liable to the Fund for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrator or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Fund, and the Fund shall indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator, its affiliates and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator, including without limitation any person affiliated with New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an 

 

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action or suit by or in the right of the Fund or its Unitholders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Fund. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 5 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, (a) any liability or losses arising solely from a claim between or among Indemnified Parties or (b) any liability to the Fund or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) breach of the LLC Agreement of the Fund or this Agreement, (ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith, fraud or gross negligence in the performance of the Administrator’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Administrator’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder), or (iii) violation of any law, including, but not limited to, violation of any federal or state securities law, that has a material adverse effect on the Fund (collectively, “Disabling Conduct”). The Administrator shall not be liable under this Agreement or otherwise for any loss due to the mistake, action, inaction, negligence, dishonesty, fraud or bad faith of any broker or other agent; provided that such broker or other agent shall have been selected, engaged or retained and monitored by the Administrator in good faith, unless such action or inaction was made by reason of Disabling Conduct, or in the case of a criminal action or proceeding, where the Administrator had reasonable cause to believe its conduct was unlawful.

 

6.             Activities of the Administrator

 

The services of the Administrator to the Fund are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Administrator and each affiliate of the Administrator and any other person providing services to the Fund as arranged by the Administrator, is free to render services to others.  It is understood that directors, officers, employees and Unitholders of the Fund, are or may become interested in the Administrator and its affiliates, as directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners, stockholders or otherwise, and that the Administrator and directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners and stockholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Fund, as Unitholders or otherwise.

 

7.             Duration and Termination of this Agreement

 

(a)           This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof.  This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (A) the vote of the Fund’s Board of Directors, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting limited liability company units (“Units”) of the Fund and (B) the vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

 

(b)           This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice, (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Units of the Fund or by the vote of the Fund’s Board of Directors, or (ii) by the Administrator.

 

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(c)           This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act).

 

8.             Amendments of this Agreement

 

This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by each party hereto.

 

9.             Governing Law

 

This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act.  To the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

 

10.          No Waiver

 

The failure of any party to enforce at any time for any period the provisions of or any rights deriving from this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or rights or the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, and no waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto.

 

11.          Severability

 

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 so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby 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 hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

12.          Notices

 

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other parties at their principal office.

 

13.          Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original instrument and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

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14.          Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to such subject matter.

 

Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

	
 
    	
NEW MOUNTAIN GUARDIAN III BDC, L.L.C.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Adam   Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Adam Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Director and   Executive Vice President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NEW   MOUNTAIN FINANCE ADMINISTRATION, L.L.C.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Adam   Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Adam Weinstein
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Authorized   Person

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