Exhibit 1.1
UNDERWRITING
AGREEMENT
between
OAKMONT ACQUISITION
CORP.
and
MORGAN JOSEPH & CO.
INC.
Dated:
, 2005
OAKMONT ACQUISITION CORP.
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
New York, New York
, 2005
Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc.
600 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Dear Sirs:
The undersigned, Oakmont Acquisition Corp., a
Delaware corporation (“ Company ”),
hereby confirms its agreement with Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc.
(being referred to herein variously as “ you
,” “ Morgan Joseph & Co. ” or
the “ Representative ”) and with the
other underwriters named on Schedule I hereto for which Morgan
Joseph & Co. is acting as Representative (the Representative
and the other Underwriters being collectively called the “
Underwriters ” or, individually, an “
Underwriter ”) as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Securities
.
1.1 Firm Securities
.
1.1.1 Purchase of Firm Units
. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set
forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell, severally and not
jointly, to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of 8,000,000
units (“ Firm Units ”) of the Company, at
a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $5.58 per
Firm Unit. The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to
purchase from the Company the number of Firm Units set forth
opposite their respective names on Schedule I attached hereto and
made a part hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and
commissions) of $5.58 per Firm Unit. The Firm Units are to be
offered initially to the public (“ Offering
”) at the offering price of $6.00 per Firm Unit. Each Firm
Unit consists of one share of the Company’s common stock, par
value $.0001 per share (“ Common Stock
”), and two warrants (“ Warrant(s)
”). The shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in
the Firm Units will not be separately transferable until 90 days
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined
in Section 2.1.1 hereof) (“ Effective Date
”) unless Morgan Joseph & Co. informs the Company of its
decision to allow earlier separate trading, but in no event will
Morgan Joseph & Co. allow separate trading until the
preparation of an audited balance sheet of the Company reflecting
receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the Offering
and the filing of a Form 8-K by the Company
which includes such balance sheet. Each Warrant entitles its holder
to exercise it to purchase one share of Common Stock for $5.00
during the period commencing on the later of the consummation by
the Company of its “Business Combination” or one year
from the Effective Date of the Registration Statement and
terminating on the four-year anniversary of the Effective Date.
“ Business Combination ” shall mean any
merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar
business combination consummated by the Company with an operating
business (as described more fully in the Registration
Statement).
1.1.2 Payment and Delivery .
Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at 10:00
A.M., New York City local time, on the third business day following
the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the fourth
business day following the effective date, if the Registration
Statement is declared effective after 4:30 p.m.) or at such earlier
time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company
at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as
shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The
hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Units are called
“ Closing Date .” Payment for the Firm
Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the
Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same
day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New
York Clearing House funds, payable as follows: $43,140,000 of the
proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units shall be
deposited in the trust fund established by the Company for the
benefit of the public stockholders as described in the Registration
Statement (“ Trust Fund ”) pursuant to
the terms of an Investment Management Trust Agreement (“
Trust Agreement ”) and the remaining proceeds
shall be paid to the order of the Company upon delivery to you of
certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the
Underwriters) representing the Firm Units (or through the
facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“
DTC ”)) for the account of the Underwriters.
The Firm Units shall be registered in such name or names and in
such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in
writing at least two full business days prior to the Closing Date.
The Company will permit the Representative to examine and package
the Firm Units for delivery, at least one full business day prior
to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or
deliver the Firm Units except upon tender of payment by the
Representative for all the Firm Units.
1.2 Over-Allotment Option
.
1.2.1 Option Units . For the
purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the
distribution and sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are
hereby granted, severally and not jointly, an option to purchase up
to an additional 1,200,000 units from the Company (“
Over-allotment Option ”). Such additional
1,200,000 units are hereinafter referred to as “ Option
Units .” The Firm Units and the Option Units are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the “
Units ,” and the Units, the shares of Common
Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are hereinafter
referred to collectively as the “ Public
Securities .” The purchase price to be paid for the
Option Units will be the same price per Option Unit as the price
per Firm Unit set forth in Section 1.1.1 hereof.
- 2 -
1.2.2 Exercise of Option .
The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof
may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or
any part (from time to time) of the Option Units within 45 days
after the Effective Date. The Underwriters will not be under any
obligation to purchase any Option Units prior to the exercise of
the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby
may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company by the
Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight
mail or facsimile transmission setting forth the number of Option
Units to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and
payment for the Option Units (the “ Option Closing
Date ”), which will not be later than five full
business days after the date of the notice or such other time as
shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the
offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall be
agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. Upon exercise of
the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to
convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated
to purchase, the number of Option Units specified in such
notice.
1.2.3 Payment and Delivery .
Payment for the Option Units shall be made on the Option Closing
Date at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in
Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s
check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, payable as follows:
$5.58 per Option Unit shall be deposited in the Trust Fund pursuant
to the Trust Agreement and the remaining proceeds shall be paid to
the order of the Company upon delivery to you of certificates (in
form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing
the Option Units (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account
of the Underwriters. The certificates representing the Option Units
to be delivered will be in such denominations and registered in
such names as the Representative requests not less than two full
business days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date,
as the case may be, and will be made available to the
Representative for inspection, checking and packaging at the
aforesaid office of the Company’s transfer agent or
correspondent not less than one full business day prior to such
Closing Date.
1.3 Representative’s
Purchase Option .
1.3.1 Purchase Option . The
Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Representative
(and/or their designees) on the Effective Date an option (“
Representative’s Purchase Option ”) for
the purchase of an aggregate of 800,000 units (“
Representative’s Units ”) for an
aggregate purchase price of $100. Each of the
Representative’s Units is identical to the Firm Units,
including the Warrant exercise price of $5.00 (“
Representative’s Warrants ”). The
Representative’s Purchase Option shall be exercisable, in
whole or in part, commencing on the later of the consummation of a
Business Combination or one year from the Effective Date and
expiring on the five-year anniversary of the Effective Date at an
initial exercise price per Representative’s Unit of $7.50,
which is equal to one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the
initial public offering price of a Unit. The Representative’s
Purchase Option, the Representative’s Units, the
Representative’s Warrants and the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrants are
hereinafter referred to collectively as the
- 3 -
“ Representative’s
Securities .” The Public Securities and the
Representative’s Securities are hereinafter referred to
collectively as the “ Securities .” The
Representative understands and agrees that there are significant
restrictions against transferring the Representative’s
Purchase Option during the first year after the Effective Date, as
set forth in Section 3 of the Representative’s Purchase
Option.
1.3.2 Payment and Delivery .
Delivery and payment for the Representative’s Purchase Option
shall be made on the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to the
Underwriters, upon payment therefor, certificates for the
Representative’s Purchase Option in the name or names and in
such authorized denominations as the Representative may
request.
2. Representations and Warranties of the
Company . The Company represents and warrants to the
Underwriters as follows:
2.1 Filing of Registration
Statement .
2.1.1 Pursuant to the Act .
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“ Commission ”) a registration statement
and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No.
333- ),
including any related preliminary prospectus (“
Preliminary Prospectus ”), for the registration
of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(“ Act ”), which registration statement
and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in
conformity with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and
regulations (“ Regulations ”) of the
Commission under the Act. Except as the context may otherwise
require, such registration statement, as amended, on file with the
Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective
(including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules,
exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or
incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part
thereof as of such time pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of
the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “
Registration Statement ,” and the form of the
final prospectus dated the Effective Date included in the
Registration Statement (or, if applicable, the form of final
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the
Regulations), is hereinafter called the “
Prospectus .” The Registration Statement has
been declared effective by the Commission on the date
hereof.
2.1.2 Pursuant to the Exchange
Act . The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A
(File Number 000-
) providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (“ Exchange Act ”),
of the Units, the Common Stock and the Warrants. The registration
of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act has
been declared effective by the Commission on the date
hereof.
2.2 No Stop Orders, Etc .
Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order or,
to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to issue
any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
Prospectus or has instituted or, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to
such an order.
- 4 -
2.3 Disclosures in Registration
Statement .
2.3.1 10b-5 Representation .
At the time the Registration Statement became effective and at all
times subsequent thereto up to the Closing Date and the Option
Closing Date, if any, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
will contain all material statements that are required to be stated
therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and will in
all material respects conform to the requirements of the Act and
the Regulations; and neither the Registration Statement nor the
Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, on such dates,
will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. When any Preliminary
Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed as
part of the Registration Statement for the registration of the
Securities or any amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of
the Regulations) and when any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto was first filed with the Commission, such Preliminary
Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto
complied or will comply in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations and did not
and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
representation and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1 does not
apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished to the Company
with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative expressly
for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto.
2.3.2 Disclosure of
Agreements . The agreements and documents described in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform to the
descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements
or other documents required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as
exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so
described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however
characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by
which its property or business is or may be bound or affected and
(i) that is referred to in the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to
the Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by
the Company, is in full force and effect and is enforceable against
the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other
parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or
contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state
securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance
and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject
to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before
which any proceeding therefor may be brought, and none of such
agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and
neither the Company nor, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, any other party is in breach or default thereunder and,
to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred
that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both,
would constitute a breach or default thereunder. To the best of the
Company’s
- 5 -
knowledge, performance by the Company of the
material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not
result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or
court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or
any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation,
those relating to environmental laws and regulations.
2.3.3 Prior Securities
Transactions . No securities of the Company have been sold by
the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any
person or persons controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with the Company within the three years prior to the date
hereof, except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement.
2.3.4 Regulations . The
disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of
Federal, State and local regulation on the Company’s business
purpose as currently contemplated are correct in all material
respects and do not omit to state a material fact.
2.4 Changes After Dates in
Registration Statement .
2.4.1 No Material Adverse
Change . Since the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as
otherwise specifically stated therein, (i) there has been no
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise,
or business prospects of the Company, (ii) there have been no
material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as
contemplated pursuant to this Agreement, and (iii) no member of the
Company’s management has resigned from any position with the
Company.
2.4.2 Recent Securities
Transactions, Etc . Subsequent to the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or
contemplated herein or therein, the Company has not (i) issued any
securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or
contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any
dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its
equity securities.
2.5 Independent Accountants .
Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP (“ GGK ”),
whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the
Registration Statement, are independent accountants as required by
the Act and the Regulations. GGK has not, during the periods
covered by the financial statements included in the Prospectus,
provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is
used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
2.6 Financial Statements .
The financial statements, including the notes thereto and
supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus fairly present the financial position, the results of
operations and the cash flows of the Company at the dates and for
the periods to which they apply; such financial statements have
been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved;
and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement
present fairly the information required to be stated therein. The
Registration Statement discloses all material off-balance sheet
transactions,
- 6 -
arrangements, obligations (including contingent
obligations), and other relationships of the Company with
unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material
current or future effect on the Company’s financial
condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations,
liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant
components of revenues or expenses.
2.7 Authorized Capital; Options;
Etc . The Company had at the date or dates indicated in the
Prospectus duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization
as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the
adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set
forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date, there
will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or
otherwise acquire any authorized but unissued shares of Common
Stock of the Company or any security convertible into shares of
Common Stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to
issue or sell shares of Common Stock or any such options, warrants,
rights or convertible securities.
2.8 Valid Issuance of Securities;
Etc .
2.8.1 Outstanding Securities
. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission
with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by
reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were
issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any
security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by
the Company. The authorized Common Stock conforms to all statements
relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus. The offers and sales of the outstanding Common Stock
were at all relevant times either registered under the Act and the
applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on
the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares
of Common Stock, exempt from such registration
requirements.
2.8.2 Securities Sold Pursuant to
this Agreement . The Securities have been duly authorized and,
when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject
to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the
Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights
of any holders of any security of the Company or similar
contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate action
required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of
the Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Securities
conform in all material respects to all statements with respect
thereto contained in the Registration Statement. When issued, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s
Warrant, and the Warrants will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof
and payment of the respective exercise prices therefor, the number
and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in
accordance with the terms thereof and such Representative’s
Purchase Option, the Representative’s Warrants, and Warrants
are enforceable against the Company in
- 7 -
accordance with their respective terms, except
(i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of any
indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the
federal and state securities laws, and (iii) that the remedy of
specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
2.9 Registration Rights of Third
Parties . Except as set forth in the Prospectus, no holders of
any securities of the Company or any rights exercisable for or
convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the
right to require the Company to register any such securities of the
Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a
registration statement to be filed by the Company.
2.10 Validity and Binding Effect
of Agreements . This Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as
defined in Section 2.20 hereof), the Trust Agreement, the Services
Agreement (as defined in Section 3.7.2 hereof) and the Escrow
Agreement (as defined in Section 2.21.2 hereof) have been duly and
validly authorized by the Company and constitute, and the
Representative’s Purchase Option has been duly and validly
authorized by the Company and, when executed and delivered, will
constitute, the valid and binding agreements of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of any
indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the
federal and state securities laws, and (iii) that the remedy of
specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
2.11 No Conflicts, Etc . The
execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this
Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Warrant
Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement and the
Escrow Agreement, the consummation by the Company of the
transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by
the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not,
with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both
(i) result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien,
charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company
pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the
Company is a party except pursuant to the Trust Agreement referred
to in Section 2.23 hereof; (ii) result in any violation of the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the
Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or
court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or
any of its properties or business.
2.12 No Defaults; Violations
. No material default exists in the due performance and observance
of any term, covenant or condition of any material license,
contract,
- 8 -
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan
or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument
evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which
the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or
assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation
of any term or provision of its Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws or in violation of any material franchise, license, permit,
applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any
governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or
businesses.
2.13 Corporate Power; Licenses;
Consents .
2.13.1 Conduct of Business .
The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and
has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses,
certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory
officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct
its business purpose as described in the Prospectus. The
disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of
federal, state and local regulation on this offering and the
Company’s business purpose as currently contemplated are
correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
2.13.2 Transactions Contemplated
Herein . The Company has all corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and
conditions hereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and
orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No
consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court,
government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance,
sale and delivery, of the Securities and the consummation of the
transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the
Trust Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and as contemplated by the
Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state
securities laws.
2.14 D&O Questionnaires .
To the best of the Company’s knowledge, all information
contained in the questionnaires (“
Questionnaires ”) completed by each of the
Company’s stockholders immediately prior to the Offering
(“ Initial Stockholders ”) and provided
to the Underwriters as an exhibit to his or her Insider Letter (as
defined in Section 2.21.1) is true and correct and the Company has
not become aware of any information which would cause the
information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by each
Initial Stockholder to become inaccurate and incorrect.
2.15 Litigation; Governmental
Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry,
arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding
pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge,
threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the
Company’s knowledge, any Initial Stockholder which has not
been disclosed in the Registration Statement or the
Questionnaires.
- 9 -
2.16 Good Standing . The
Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation and is in good standing under the laws of its state of
incorporation, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good
standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its
ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires
such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not
have a material adverse effect on the Company.
2.17 Transactions Affecting
Disclosure to NASD .
2.17.1 Finder’s Fees .
Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no claims,
payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to
the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by
the Company or any Initial Stockholder with respect to the sale of
the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or
understandings of the Company or, to the best of the
Company’s knowledge, any Initial Stockholder that may affect
the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“ NASD
”).
2.17.2 Payments Within Twelve
Months . The Company has not made any direct or indirect
payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) (i) to any person, as a
finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration
of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to
the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company,
(ii) to any NASD member or (iii) to any person or entity that has
any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any NASD
member, within the twelve months prior to the Effective Date, other
than payments to Morgan Joseph & Co.
2.17.3 Use of Proceeds . None
of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to
any participating NASD member or its affiliates, except as
specifically authorized herein and except as may be paid in
connection with a Business Combination as contemplated by the
Prospectus.
2.17.4 Insiders’ NASD
Affiliation . Based on questionnaires distributed to such
persons, except as set forth on Schedule 2.17.4, no officer,
director or any beneficial owner of the Company’s
unregistered securities has any direct or indirect affiliation or
association with any NASD member. The Company will advise the
Representative and its counsel if it learns that any officer,
director or owner of at least 5% of the Company’s outstanding
Common Shares is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of an
NASD member participating in the offering.
2.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act . Neither the Company nor any of the Initial Stockholders
or any other person acting on behalf of the Company has, directly
or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar
benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the
ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or
agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any
governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic
or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office
(domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for
office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be
in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or
assist it in connection with any
- 10 -
actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might
subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal
or governmental litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the
past, might have had a material adverse effect on the assets,
business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the
financial statements contained in the Prospectus or (iii) if not
continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Company. The
Company’s internal accounting controls and procedures are
sufficient to cause the Company to comply with the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.19 Officers’
Certificate . Any certificate signed by any duly authorized
officer of the Company and delivered to you or to your counsel
shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the
Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
2.20 Warrant Agreement . The
Company has entered into a warrant agreement with respect to the
Warrants and the Representative’s Warrants with Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company substantially in the form filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (“ Warrant
Agreement ”).
2.21 Agreements With Initial
Stockholders .
2.21.1 Letters . The Company
has caused to be duly executed legally binding and enforceable
agreements (except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of any
indemnification, contribution or noncompete provision may be
limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (iii) that
the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms
of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
may be brought) annexed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5,
10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10 to the Registration Statement
(“ Insider Letter ”), pursuant to which
each of the Initial Stockholders of the Company agree to certain
matters, including but not limited to, certain matters described as
being agreed to by them under the “Proposed Business”
section of the Prospectus.
2.21.2 Escrow Agreement . The
Company has caused the Initial Stockholders to enter into an escrow
agreement (“ Escrow Agreement ”) with
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“
Escrow Agent ”), substantially in the form
annexed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement, whereby the
Common Stock owned by the Initial Stockholders will be held in
escrow by the Escrow Agent, until the third anniversary of the
Effective Date. During such escrow period, the Initial Stockholders
shall be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring such
shares (except to spouses and children of Initial Stockholders and
trusts established for their benefit and as otherwise set forth in
the Escrow Agreement) but will retain the right to vote such
shares. To the Company’s knowledge, the Escrow Agreement is
enforceable against each of the Initial Stockholders and will not,
with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both,
result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or
instrument to which any of the Initial Stockholders is a party. The
Escrow Agreement shall not be amended, modified or otherwise
changed without the prior written consent of Morgan Joseph &
Co.
- 11 -
2.22 Intentionally Omitted
.
2.23 Investment Management Trust
Agreement . The Company has entered into the Trust Agreement
with respect to certain proceeds of the Offering substantially in
the form annexed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registration
Statement.
2.24 Covenants Not to Compete
. No Initial Stockholder, employee, officer or director of the
Company is subject to any noncompetition agreement or
non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer
which could materially affect his ability to be an Initial
Stockholder, employee, officer and/or director of the
Company.
2.25 Investments . No more
than 45% of the “value” (as defined in Section 2(a)(41)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“ Investment
Company Act ”)) of the Company’s total assets
consist of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net income
after taxes is derived from, securities other than
“Government securities” (as defined in Section 2(a)(16)
of the Investment Company Act).
2.26 Subsidiaries . The
Company does not own an interest in any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business
entity.
2.27 Related Party
Transactions . There are no business relationships or related
party transactions involving the Company or any other person
required to be described in the Prospectus that have not been
described as required.
3. Covenants of the Company . The Company
covenants and agrees as follows:
3.1 Amendments to Registration
Statement . The Company will deliver to the Representative,
prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective
Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which the
Representative shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2 Federal Securities Laws
.
3.2.1 Compliance . During the
time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act,
the Company will use all reasonable efforts to comply with all
requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the
Exchange Act and by the regulations under the Exchange Act, as from
time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the
continuance of sales of or dealings in the Securities in accordance
with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when
a Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered
under the Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which,
in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the
Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which
- 12 -
they were made, not misleading, or if it is
necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the
Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and
prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1
hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with
Section 10 of the Act.
3.2.2 Filing of Final
Prospectus . The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and
substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission
pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424 of the
Regulations.
3.2.3 Exchange Act
Registration . For a period of five years from the Effective
Date, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required
to be liquidated, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain
the registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the
provisions of the Exchange Act. For a period of five years from the
Effective Date, the Company will not deregister the Units, Common
Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act without the prior written
consent of Morgan Joseph & Co. (except in connection with a
going private transaction).
3.3 Blue Sky Filing . The
Company will endeavor in good faith, in cooperation with the
Representative, at or prior to the time the Registration Statement
becomes effective, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale
under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the
Representative may reasonably designate, provided that no such
qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a
result thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general
process or to taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in
such jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction where such qualification
shall be effected, the Company will, unless the Representative
agrees that such action is not at the time necessary or advisable,
use all reasonable efforts to file and make such statements or
reports at such times as are or may be required by the laws of such
jurisdiction.
3.4 Delivery to Underwriters of
Prospectuses . The Company will deliver to each of the several
Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period
when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or
the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus as such Underwriters may reasonably
request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment
or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to you two
original executed Registration Statements, including exhibits, and
all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits
filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all
original executed consents of certified experts.
3.5 Effectiveness and Events
Requiring Notice to the Representative . The Company will use
its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain
effective and will n