Opinion ID: 76562
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Contracting Parties

Text: 18 Despite NOVA's contention, there is no evidence in the record — much less clear evidence — showing that either Premier or Greenwich intended for NOVA to be protected under the bond. NOVA argues that both the draft letter, written by Greenwich's agent and intended to placate NOVA's fears about Premier's financial condition, and the negotiations conducted between Premier and Greenwich, provide evidence that NOVA was an intended third party beneficiary to the bond. The draft letter, however, is just that — a proposal in draft form that was never finalized. And the negotiations between Greenwich and Premier show only that they negotiated over expanding the bond's coverage, not that the parties ever agreed to such an expansion. Even if Premier made representations to NOVA that NOVA would be covered under its surety bond, there is no evidence in the record showing that Greenwich possessed a similar, finalized intent. Thus, because there is no clear evidence that both parties intended to benefit NOVA, NOVA may not maintain an action on the contract as a third-party beneficiary. 19