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GEO GROUP INC false 0000923796 0000923796 2024-04-18 2024-04-18

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 18, 2024

 

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Florida   1-14260   65-0043078
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

4955 Technology Way, Boca Raton, Florida   33431
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (561) 893-0101

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value   GEO   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Senior Notes Offering

On April 18, 2024, The GEO Group, Inc. (“GEO” or the “Company”) announced the closing of its previously announced private offering of $1.275 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes (the “Senior Notes Offering”), comprised of $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% senior secured notes due 2029 (the “Secured Notes”), issued under the Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “2029 Indenture”), among GEO, the Guarantors (defined below) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as trustee and collateral agent (the “Trustee and Collateral Agent”) and $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2031 (the “Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “Notes”), issued under the Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “2031 Indenture” and, together with the 2029 Indenture, the “Indentures”), among GEO, the Guarantors and Ankura Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. The Notes are guaranteed (the “Secured Note Guarantees” and the “Unsecured Note Guarantees” and collectively, the “Guarantees”) by GEO’s domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors under a new senior secured credit facility and outstanding senior notes (the “Guarantors”).

GEO intends to use the net proceeds of the Senior Notes Offering, borrowings under the new Term Loan (defined below), and cash on hand to refinance approximately $1.5 billion of existing indebtedness, including to fund the repurchase, redemption or other discharge of the Company’s existing Tranche 1 Term Loan and Tranche 2 Term Loan under its prior senior credit facility, the 9.50% senior second lien secured notes due 2028, the 10.50% senior second lien secured notes due 2028, and the 6.00% senior notes due 2026, to pay related premiums, transaction fees and expenses, and for general corporate purposes of the Company. GEO also intends to retire or settle a portion of the 6.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes”) issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GEO (“GEOCH”), using shares of GEO common stock and cash. GEO expects to fund the cash portion of the retirement or settlement, which is expected to total up to $177.1 million, using a combination of the net proceeds from the Senior Notes Offering and cash on hand.

The Notes were offered and sold in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States only to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable state laws.

Certain terms and conditions of the 2029 Indenture and the Secured Notes are as follows. Capitalized terms used in the following summary and not defined in this Current Report on Form 8-K are defined in the 2029 Indenture.

Maturity. The Secured Notes mature on April 15, 2029.

Interest. The Secured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8.625% per year. Interest on the Secured Notes is payable semi-annually on each April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2024.

Issue Price. The Secured Notes were issued at par.

Guarantees. The Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Initial Guarantors and may be guaranteed by additional Subsidiaries of the Company when a Subsidiary guarantees debt under the credit facilities (other than debt securities) and debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of at least $100.0 million.

Ranking. The Secured Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees will be our and the Guarantors’ respective senior, secured obligations, and the indebtedness evidenced by the Secured Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees will rank equal in right of payment to all of GEO’s and the Guarantors’ other existing and future senior obligations, including the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement (as defined below) and the guarantees thereof; effectively senior in right of payment to all of GEO’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future unsecured indebtedness, including the Unsecured Notes, the 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes and, in each case, the guarantees thereof, to the extent of the value of the Collateral; senior in right of payment to any of GEO’s and the Guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness; effectively junior in right of payment to any of GEO’s and the Guarantors’ future secured indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on any assets not constituting Collateral, to the extent of the value of such assets; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of Subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Secured Notes and joint ventures, including trade payables.


Security. The Secured Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis by the same collateral (the “Collateral”) that secures the obligations under the Credit Agreement in accordance with the terms of the 2029 Indenture and security agreements relating to the Collateral and instruments filed and recorded in appropriate jurisdictions to preserve and protect the liens on the Collateral (including, without limitation, mortgages, deeds of trust or deed to secure debt and financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the relevant states applicable to the Collateral), each for the benefit of the Trustee, Collateral Agent and the holders of the Secured Notes.

Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Secured Notes.

Optional Redemption. On or after April 15, 2026, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Secured Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the fixed redemption prices expressed as percentages of the principal amount set forth in the 2029 Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Secured Noted redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date, subject to the rights of Holders of Secured Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Secured Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date. In addition, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes at any time and from time to time before April 15, 2026, with an amount up to the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 108.625% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date provided, that (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Secured Notes remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of that redemption and (2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of the equity offering. The Company may also redeem the Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time before April 15, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Secured Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, subject to the rights of Holders of Secured Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Secured Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date. Additionally, during any twelve-month period prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem the Secured Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Secured Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs, the Company will offer a payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Secured Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Secured Notes repurchased, to (but not including) the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Secured Notes have not been redeemed or repurchased prior to such date.

Certain Covenants. The 2029 Indenture contains certain covenants that will limit, among other things, the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees thereof); incur or create liens, other than Permitted Liens; make certain Restricted Payments; make certain investments; dispose of certain assets; allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions.

 

 

2


Events of Default. The 2029 Indenture contains customary events of default which could, subject to certain conditions, cause the Secured Notes to become immediately due and payable.

The Secured Notes are also subject to the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (the “First Lien Intercreditor Agreement”), dated April 18, 2024, among GEO, GEOCH, the other grantors from time to time party thereto, Citizens Bank, NA, as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, and Ankura Trust Company, LLC as Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative. The First Lien Intercreditor Agreement sets forth the relative rights and obligations of the holders of First Lien Secured Obligations (which means (i) all obligations as defined in the Credit Agreement, (ii) all obligations under the Secured Notes, the 2029 Indenture, the Secured Note Guarantees and the Security Documents (as defined in the 2029 Indenture), and (iii) any other indebtedness secured on a first lien pari passu basis with such obligations), in each case, with respect to shared Collateral.

Certain terms and conditions of the 2031 Indenture and the Unsecured Notes are as follows. Capitalized terms used in the following summary and not defined in this Current Report on Form 8-K are defined in the 2031 Indenture.

Maturity. The Unsecured Notes mature on April 15, 2031.

Interest. The Unsecured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 10.250% per year. Interest on the Unsecured Notes is payable semi-annually on each April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2024.

Issue Price. The Unsecured Notes were issued at par.

Guarantees. The Unsecured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Initial Guarantors and may be guaranteed by additional Subsidiaries of the Company when a Subsidiary guarantees debt under the credit facilities (other than debt securities) and debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of at least $100.0 million.

Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Unsecured Notes.

Optional Redemption. On or after April 15, 2027, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Unsecured Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the fixed redemption prices expressed as percentages of the principal amount set forth in the 2031 Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Unsecured Noted redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date, subject to the rights of Holders of Unsecured Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Unsecured Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date. In addition, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Unsecured Notes at any time and from time to time before April 15, 2027, with an amount up to the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 110.250% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date provided, that (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Unsecured Notes remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of that redemption and (2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of the equity offering. The Company may also redeem the Unsecured Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time before April 15, 2027, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Unsecured Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, subject to the rights of Holders of Unsecured Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Unsecured Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date.

Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs, the Company will offer a payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Unsecured Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Unsecured Notes repurchased, to (but not including) the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Unsecured Notes have not been redeemed or repurchased prior to such date.

 

 

3


Certain Covenants. The 2031 Indenture contains certain covenants that will limit, among other things, the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees thereof); incur or create liens, other than Permitted Liens; make certain Restricted Payments; make certain investments; dispose of certain assets; allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions.

Events of Default. The 2031 Indenture contains customary events of default which could, subject to certain conditions, cause the Unsecured Notes to become immediately due and payable.

The above descriptions of the Indentures and the Notes are summaries and are qualified in their entirety by the terms of the Indentures and the Notes, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 hereto and incorporated by reference herein. The above description of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Registration Rights Agreement

Under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, among GEO, the Guarantors and Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, as the representative of the initial purchasers (the “Representative”) of the Notes (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), GEO has agreed to file a registration statement, with respect to a proposed offer (the “Registered Exchange Offer”) to issue and deliver, in exchange for the Initial Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, which includes the Notes issued on April 18, 2024), an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities and related guarantees (collectively, the “Exchange Securities”) of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, issued under the applicable Indenture on or prior to 120 days after the date of original issue of the Initial Securities (the “Issue Date”) and to use its reasonable best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective on or prior to 180 days after the Issue Date. GEO has also agreed to consummate the Registered Exchange Offer not later than 220 days after the Issue Date and keep the registration statement effective for not less than 20 business after the date notice of the Registered Exchange Offer is delivered to the Holders (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

If GEO fails to satisfy certain filing and other obligations described in the Registration Rights Agreement, GEO will be obligated to pay additional interest at a rate of $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Initial Securities for the first 90-day period and an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Initial Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, until GEO’s registration obligations are fulfilled, up to a maximum of 1.0% per annum.

The above description of the Registration Rights Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Credit Agreement

GEO and GEOCH, as borrowers (collectively, the “Credit Facility Borrowers”), entered into a Credit Agreement, dated April 18, 2024 (the “Credit Agreement”) to, among other things, evidence and govern a first-lien senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”; and the commitments thereunder, the “Revolving Credit Facility Commitments”) and a first-lien senior secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility” and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Credit Facility”). The aggregate principal amount of revolving credit commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is $310 million (including a $175 million letter of credit subfacility) and the aggregate principal amount of the New Term Loan Facility is $450.0 million.

The loans under the Revolving Credit Facility (the “Revolving Credit Loans”) bear interest at a per annum rate equal to either (i) Alternate Base Rate (as defined below) plus an applicable margin or (ii) Term SOFR (as defined below)

 

4


(subject to a 0.75% floor) plus an applicable margin, which applicable margin shall, in either case, vary depending on GEO’s total leverage ratio as of the most recent determination date, and the Credit Facility Borrowers will pay a fee in respect of the unused revolving commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at a per annum rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.50%, in each case depending on GEO’s total leverage ratio as of the most recent determination date, where “Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) Term SOFR (as defined below) for a one-month tenor in effect on such day, plus 1%, and “Term SOFR” means the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate. The loans under the Term Loan Facility (the “Term Loans”) bear interest at a per annum rate equal to either (i) Alternate Base Rate plus an applicable margin for Alternate Base Rate Loans and (ii) Term SOFR (subject to a 0.75% floor) plus an applicable margin for Term SOFR Loans.

The Term Loans amortize at a rate equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount of such Term Loans per quarter. Mandatory prepayments of loans under the Credit Agreement are required in respect of certain casualty and asset sale proceeds and excess cash flow, subject to certain thresholds and exceptions. Voluntary prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans may be made by the Credit Facility Borrowers at any time without premium or penalty (subject to reimbursement for customary breakage expenses). Voluntary prepayments of the Term Loans and any prepayments of Term Loans required in connection with any acceleration of the maturity thereof (or in connection with a foreclosure or other disposition of or realization upon any Collateral or other satisfaction or compromise of any obligations thereunder in any insolvency or other similar proceeding) will require payment of a premium equal to (i) 2.00% of the principal amount prepaid or required to be prepaid if made prior to the first anniversary of the effective date of the Term Loan Facility and (ii) 1.00% of the principal amount prepaid or required to be prepaid if made on or after the first anniversary of the effective date of the Term Loan Facility but prior to the second anniversary of the effective date of the Term Loan Facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility Commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate, and the Revolving Credit Loans will mature, on the earliest of (i) April 15, 2029, (ii) in the event that any Term Loans remain outstanding on the date that is ninety-one days prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined below), the date that is ninety-one days prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date, (iii) in the event that an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $100,000,000 of any Senior Notes remains outstanding on the Senior Notes Springing Maturity Date (as defined below), such Senior Notes Springing Maturity Date, it being understood that Senior Notes shall not be considered to be outstanding for purposes of this clause (iii) to the extent GEO, shall have deposited or caused to be deposited funds into a customary irrevocable escrow in an amount sufficient to pay or redeem such Senior Notes in full on the maturity date thereof (the “Maturity Reserve Condition”), where “Senior Notes” refers to each of the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes and any other senior notes issued by GEO or any of its subsidiaries (excluding the 6.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes), and “Senior Notes Springing Maturity Date” means the date that is ninety-one days prior to the stated maturity date of the applicable Senior Notes. The Term Loans will mature on the earliest of (i) April 15, 2029 and (ii) in the event that an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $100,000,000 of any series or class of Senior Notes remains outstanding on the Senior Notes Springing Maturity Date, such Senior Notes Springing Maturity Date, unless the Maturity Reserve Condition is satisfied with respect to such Senior Notes (such earliest date, the “Term Loan Maturity Date”).

The Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and negative covenants, including restrictions on the ability of GEO and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, (i) create, incur or assume any indebtedness, (ii) create, incur, assume or permit liens, (iii) make loans and investments, (iv) engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (v) make certain restricted payments, (vi) engage in transactions with affiliates, (vii) cancel, forgive, make any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on, or redeem or acquire for value any subordinated indebtedness, except as permitted under applicable subordination terms, (viii) engage in other businesses, except as permitted, and (ix) materially impair the security interests securing the obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants, including a maximum total leverage ratio covenant, a maximum first lien leverage ratio covenant and a minimum interest coverage ratio covenant. In addition, the Credit Agreement restricts GEO from electing to be taxed as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code. The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary events of default.

The Credit Facility guarantors will guarantee the obligations in respect of the commitments and loans under the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Credit Facility Borrowers and the Credit Facility guarantors in respect of the Credit Agreement will be secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of their assets, including real property interests with respect to which the Credit Agreement requires the execution and delivery of a mortgage.

 

5


The rights of the holders of the Secured Notes in the Collateral (including the right to exercise remedies) is subject to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement described above.

The above description of the Credit Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above with respect to the Indentures, the Notes, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Credit Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03, insofar as it relates to the creation of a direct financial obligation.

Item 8.01 Other Events

A copy of the press release announcing the closing of the offering of the Notes is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes forward-looking statements regarding GEO’s intended use of the net proceeds. These forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in GEO’s business and market conditions. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in GEO’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), including GEO’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and GEO’s reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Commission. GEO wishes to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect GEO’s actual results and could cause GEO’s actual results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of GEO, including the risks that the refinance, repurchase, redemption or other discharge of its Tranche 1 Term Loan and Tranche 2 Term Loan under its existing senior credit facility, the 9.50% senior second lien secured notes, the 10.50% senior second lien secured notes, and the 6.00% senior notes due 2026 cannot be successfully completed, and that the retirement or settlement of a portion of the 6.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2026 issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc. cannot be successfully completed. GEO undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

 

Section 9

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.
  

Description

4.1*    Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among The GEO Group, Inc., the Initial Guarantors and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as trustee and collateral agent, relating to the 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029.
4.2    Form of Secured Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.3    Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among The GEO Group, Inc., the Initial Guarantors and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as trustee, relating to the 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031.
4.4    Form of Unsecured Note (included in Exhibit 4.3).
10.1    First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among The GEO Group, Inc., GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors, Citizens Bank, N.A., as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative, and each additional authorized representative from time to time party thereto.

 

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10.2*   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among The GEO Group, Inc., the Guarantors party thereto and Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, as representative of the several Initial Purchasers.
10.3*     Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among The GEO Group, Inc. and GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., as borrowers, Citizens Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and the lenders referred to therein.
99.1   Press Release announcing the closing of the Notes Offering, dated April 18, 2024.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL)

 

 

*

Certain exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish copies of any of the omitted schedules or exhibits to the SEC upon request by the SEC; provided that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any schedules or exhibits so furnished.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    THE GEO GROUP, INC.
April 24, 2024        By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Date       Shayn P. March
      Acting Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
      (Principal Financial Officer)

 

8

EX-4.1 2 d764760dex41.htm EX-4.1 EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

The GEO Group, Inc.

as Issuer

and the

Initial Guarantors (as defined herein)

and

Ankura Trust Company, LLC,

as Trustee and Collateral Agent

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 18, 2024

8.625% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2029


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

(a)(2)

   7.10

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(a)(5)

   7.10

(b)

   7.10

(c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

(b)

   7.11

(c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.06

(b)

   13.03

(c)

   13.03

313(a)

   7.06(a)

(b)(1)

   N.A.

(b)(2)

   7.06(a), 7.07(f)

(c)

   7.06(a), 13.02(d)

(d)

   7.06(b)

314(a)

   13.05

(b)

   N.A.

(c)(1)

   N.A.

(c)(2)

   N.A.

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(e)

   13.05

(f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(e)

   N.A.

316(a) (last sentence)

   N.A.

(a)(1)(A)

   N.A.

(a)(1)(B)

   N.A.

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   13.14(d)

317(a)(1)

   N.A.

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

318(a)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   13.01

N.A. means not applicable.

 

*

This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1  

Section 1.01 Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02 Other Definitions

     27  

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     28  

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction

     28  

ARTICLE TWO THE NOTES

     29  

Section 2.01 Form and Dating

     29  

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication

     30  

Section 2.03 Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes

     31  

Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent

     31  

Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     31  

Section 2.06 Holder Lists

     31  

Section 2.07 Registration

     32  

Section 2.08 Transfer and Exchange

     33  

Section 2.09 Replacement Notes

     42  

Section 2.10 Outstanding Notes

     42  

Section 2.11 Treasury Notes

     43  

Section 2.12 Temporary Notes

     43  

Section 2.13 Cancellation

     43  

Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest

     43  

Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers

     43  

Section 2.16 Issuance of Additional Notes

     44  

ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

     44  

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee

     44  

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

     44  

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption

     45  

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption

     45  

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price

     46  

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part

     46  

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption

     46  

Section 3.08 [Reserved]

     47  

Section 3.09 Repurchase Offers

     47  

Section 3.10 Application of Trust Money

     49  

ARTICLE FOUR COVENANTS

     49  

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes

     49  

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency

     49  

Section 4.03 Reports

     49  

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate

     51  

Section 4.05 Taxes

     51  

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     51  

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments

     51  

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

     54  

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

     55  

Section 4.10 Asset Sales

     58  

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates

     61  

Section 4.12 Liens

     62  

Section 4.13 Business Activities

     62  

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control

     62  

Section 4.15 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     63  

 

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(continued)

 

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Section 4.16 [Reserved]

     63  

Section 4.17 Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     63  

Section 4.18 Additional Note Guarantees

     63  

Section 4.19 Changes in Covenants when Notes Rated Investment Grade

     64  

ARTICLE FIVE SUCCESSORS

     65  

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

     65  

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted

     66  

ARTICLE SIX DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     66  

Section 6.01 Events of Default

     66  

Section 6.02 Acceleration

     67  

Section 6.03 Other Remedies

     68  

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults

     68  

Section 6.05 Control by Majority

     68  

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits

     68  

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment

     69  

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee

     69  

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     69  

Section 6.10 Priorities

     69  

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs

     70  

ARTICLE SEVEN TRUSTEE

     70  

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee

     70  

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee

     71  

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee

     72  

Section 7.04 Disclaimer

     72  

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults

     73  

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes

     73  

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity

     73  

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee

     74  

Section 7.09 Successor by Merger, Etc.

     75  

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification

     75  

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

     75  

Section 7.12 Application for Instructions from the Company

     75  

ARTICLE EIGHT DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     75  

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     75  

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     75  

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance

     76  

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     76  

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     77  

Section 8.06 Repayment to the Company

     78  

Section 8.07 Reinstatement

     78  

ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     78  

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes

     78  

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes

     79  

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

     81  

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents

     81  

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes

     81  

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

     81  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

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ARTICLE TEN NOTE GUARANTEES

     82  

Section 10.01 Guarantee

     82  

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     83  

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of a Supplemental Indenture Relating to a Note Guarantee

     83  

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms

     83  

Section 10.05 Release of a Guarantor

     84  

ARTICLE ELEVEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     84  

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge

     84  

Section 11.02 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     85  

Section 11.03 Repayment to the Company

     85  

ARTICLE TWELVE COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

     85  

Section 12.01 Security

     85  

Section 12.02 First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

     86  

Section 12.03 Collateral Agent

     86  

Section 12.04 Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably

     87  

Section 12.05 Release of Liens on Collateral

     87  

Section 12.06 Further Assurances

     88  

Section 12.07 Certain Real Estate Deliverables

     88  

Section 12.08 After-Acquired Property

     92  

ARTICLE THIRTEEN MISCELLANEOUS

     93  

Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls

     93  

Section 13.02 Notices

     93  

Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes

     94  

Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     94  

Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     94  

Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents

     95  

Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Managers, Employees, Incorporators, Stockholders, Members and Partners

     95  

Section 13.08 Governing Law

     95  

Section 13.09 Consent to Jurisdiction

     95  

Section 13.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     95  

Section 13.11 Successors

     95  

Section 13.12 Severability

     96  

Section 13.13 Counterpart Originals

     96  

Section 13.14 Acts of Holders

     96  

Section 13.15 Benefit of Indenture

     97  

Section 13.16 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

     97  

Section 13.17 Waiver of Jury Trial

     97  

Section 13.18 Force Majeure

     97  

Section 13.19 U.S.A. Patriot Act

     97  

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    FORM OF INITIAL NOTE
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D    FORM OF EXCHANGE NOTE OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTE

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

SCHEDULES

 

Annex I    ISSUE DATE MORTGAGED PROPERTIES AND PROPOSED FACILITIES TO MORTGAGE

 

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INDENTURE dated as of April 18, 2024 among The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), the Initial Guarantors (as defined herein) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee and Collateral Agent (each, as defined below).

The Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Notes (as defined below):

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at maturity of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes” means the 6.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc.

“2031 Senior Notes” means the Company’s 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031.

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person: (i) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Additional Notes” means, subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 4.09 and Section 4.12 hereof, 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 of the Company issued from time to time after the Issue Date under the terms of this Indenture (other than pursuant to Sections 2.08, 2.09, 2.11, 2.12 or 3.06 and other than Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes issued pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, respectively, for other Notes outstanding under this Indenture).

“Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any period, (a) EBITDA for such period minus (b) the amount, if a positive number, by which the amount of such EBITDA attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Other Consolidated Persons (including any public-private partnership of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person) minus Non-Recourse Debt Service of Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Other Consolidated Persons (including any public-private partnership of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person) exceeds 20% of such EBITDA.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, that, beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall have correlative meanings.

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar.

“Agent Members” shall mean Participants or Indirect Participants in, the Depository.

 

1


“Applicable Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.

“Applicable Collateral Agent” means, (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Collateral Agent(s) for the series of additional First Lien Obligations represented by the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative at such time.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note on any date of redemption, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value as of such date of redemption of (i) the redemption price of such Note on April 15, 2026 (such redemption price being set forth in Section 3.07(a)), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note through April 15, 2026 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to (but not including) the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date of redemption plus 50 basis points, over (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof will not be the duty or obligation of the Trustee.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided, that, the sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.14 and/or Section 5.01 hereof and not by Section 4.10 hereof; and

(2) the issuance or sale by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

(i) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves the sale or other disposition of assets or the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary having a fair market value of less than $20.0 million;

(ii) a transfer of assets by the Company to any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(iii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(iv) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(v) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(vi) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted by Section 4.07 hereof; and

(vii) the sale or other disposition of Delaney Hall.

 

2


“Asset Swap” means an exchange of assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents or Equity Interests of the Company or any Subsidiary by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company for:

(i) one or more Permitted Businesses;

(ii) a controlling equity interest in any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary whose assets consist primarily of one or more Permitted Businesses; and/or

(iii) one or more real estate properties.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Authorized Representative” means at any time, (i) in the case of any Obligations under the Credit Agreement or the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of the Obligations under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents or the Notes Secured Parties, the Trustee and (iii) in the case of any other series of Obligations or secured party under such Obligations that become subject to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement after the Issue Date, the Designated Representative for such series named as authorized representative for such series in the applicable joinder agreement.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have a corresponding meaning.

“Board of Directors” means: (1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board; (2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership; and (3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Board Resolution” means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or person performing similar function of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

“Business Day” means any day which is not a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease” means any lease of any property by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Other Consolidated Person, as lessee, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

3


(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

“Cash Equivalents” means: (1) United States dollars; (2) Government Securities having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition; (3) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition; (4) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better; (5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above; (6) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition; (7) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition; and (8) with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, deposit accounts held by such Foreign Subsidiary in local currency at local commercial banks or savings banks or saving and loan associations in the ordinary course of business.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company;

(2) the approval by the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company or any Parent Company of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any Parent Company or, if no such approval is required, the adoption of a plan by the Company or any Parent Company relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any Parent Company;

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including without limitation any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a Parent Company, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; or

(4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (A) the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (B) immediately after such transaction, no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), becomes, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of the Company, other than in each case, in connection with any transaction or series of transactions in which the Company shall become a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of a Parent Company.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, or its successor.

 

4


“Collateral” means all of the “Collateral” and “Mortgaged Property” or “Trust Property” or other similar term referred to in the Security Documents and all of the other property and rights that is or is intended under the terms of the Security Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent.

“Collateral Agent” means Ankura Trust Company, LLC, together with its successors and assigns, in its capacity as collateral agent for the holders of the Obligations in respect of the Notes, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and/or the Security Documents and thereafter means the successor collateral agent.

“Company” means The GEO Group, Inc. until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five hereof and thereafter means the successor.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, that:

(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;

(3) the Net Income of any Person acquired during such period for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be excluded;

(4) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded;

(5) the Net Income or loss of any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(6) any non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including, but not limited to, any expenses relating to severance, relocation and one-time compensation charges and any expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost saving initiatives) shall be excluded;

(7) any net after-tax income (loss) from disposed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed or discontinued operations shall be excluded;

(8) the amount of any restructuring charge, integration costs or other business optimization expenses or reserve shall be excluded;

(9) any foreign currency translation gains or losses (including gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness) of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, shall be excluded;

(10) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or cancellation of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded; and

 

5


(11) any fees, expenses or charges related to any equity offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness not prohibited from being incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof), whether or not completed or successful, shall be excluded, including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions and (ii) any amendment or other modification of the 2031 Senior Notes, the Notes and the Credit Agreement.

“Consolidated Tangible Assets” means the total assets, less goodwill and other intangibles shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP less all write-ups (other than write-ups in connection with acquisitions) subsequent to the date hereof in the book value of any asset (except any such intangible assets) owned by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any Transaction Date with respect to any Person, the ratio of:

(1) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis outstanding on such Transaction Date, to

(2) the aggregate amount of Adjusted EBITDA of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such Person’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters immediately preceding such Transaction Date for which internal financial statements are available.

The Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,” including any pro forma adjustments to Indebtedness and Adjusted EBITDA.

“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may from time to time give notice to the Company and to the Holders.

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among the Company, GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., the administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder, and the lenders who are, or may from time to time become, party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as may be amended (and/or amended and restated), modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time, in whole or in part, with the same or different lenders (including, without limitation, any amendment, amendment and restatement, modification, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing that increases the maximum amount of the loans made or to be made thereunder).

“Credit Agreement Administrative Agent” means the “Credit Agreement Administrative Agent” as defined under the Credit Agreement.

“Credit Agreement Secured Parties” means the “Secured Parties” as defined under the Credit Agreement.

“Credit Facility” or “Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), indentures, notes, notes purchase agreements or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders or accredited investors or institutional investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, term debt, debt securities, project financings, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended (and/or amended and restated), restated, supplemented, modified, renewed, extended, increased, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

 

6


“Custodian” means the Trustee or its agent, as custodian with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Delaney Hall” means the Facility and related assets known as Delaney Hall, located in Essex County, New Jersey.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note or Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.08 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D hereto, as applicable, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

“Designated Asset” means any Facility used in a Permitted Business owned or leased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is subject to a Governmental Authority’s option to purchase or right of reversion under the related Designated Asset Contract.

“Designated Asset Contract” means (a) contracts or arrangements in existence on the date of this Indenture with respect to the following Facilities under which a Governmental Authority has the right to purchase such Facility for the Designated Asset Value of such Facility, or with respect to which there is a right of reversion of all or a portion of the Company’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s ownership or leasehold interest in such Facility: Central Arizona Correctional Facility; Arizona State Prison Phoenix; Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility; Lawton Correctional Facility; Arizona State Prison Kingman; Abraxas Youth Center (So. Mountain, PA); and Leadership Development Program (So. Mountain, PA); and (b) a contract that is acquired or entered into after the date of this Indenture under which a Governmental Authority has an option to purchase a Designated Asset from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for a Designated Asset Value or a right of reversion of all or a portion of the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s ownership or leasehold interest in such Designated Asset, provided that such contract is acquired or entered into in the ordinary course of business and is preceded by (i) if the related Designated Asset Value is greater than or equal to $50 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the acquisition or entering into of such contract has been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or (ii) an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the acquisition or entering into of such contract has been approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and, in either case, the option to purchase or right of reversion in such contract is on terms the Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, has determined to be reasonable and in the best interest of the Company taking into account the transaction contemplated thereby or by the acquisition thereof.

“Designated Asset Value” means the aggregate consideration to be received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as set forth in a Designated Asset Contract.

“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of total consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the Company’s principal executive officer or principal financial officer, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with the Asset Sale.

“Designated Representative” means, with respect to any series of secured Indebtedness, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under an indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

 

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“Deyton Detention Facility” means that certain real property located in Clayton County, Georgia, together with all improvements thereto and furniture, fixtures and equipment located therein, in each case owned by any of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the discharge of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement with respect to such Shared Collateral and the termination of all commitments with respect thereto; provided that the discharge of Obligations under the Credit Agreement shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a refinancing of such Obligations under the Credit Agreement with additional First Lien Secured Obligations secured by such Shared Collateral to the extent designated in writing by the administrative agent (under the Credit Agreement as so refinanced) as the Credit Agreement for purposes of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States (but not the laws of Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia or that guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor.

“EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus the sum of the following determined on a consolidated basis, without duplication, for the Company and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons in accordance with GAAP: (a) the sum of the following to the extent deducted in determining Net Income: (i) income and franchise taxes, (ii) Interest Expense (excluding Interest Expense attributable to any public-private partnership of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person), (iii) amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges (excluding insurance reserves), (iv) non-recurring, extraordinary or unusual charges and expenses, including in respect of restructuring or integration costs or premiums paid in connection with the redemption of Indebtedness, and (v) an amount (not exceeding an amount equal to 15% of Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Company most recently ended prior to the calculation of such amount for which financial statements are available) equal to the aggregate amount of start-up and transition costs incurred during such period in connection with Facilities and operations; less (b) to the extent added in determining Net Income, any extraordinary gains. If any acquisition permitted under this Indenture is consummated at any time during a period for which EBITDA is calculated, EBITDA for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis and, to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the amount of transaction costs and expenses and extraordinary charges relating to such acquisition (or relating to any acquisition consummated by the acquired entity prior to the closing of such acquisition but during the period of computation), as the case may be, shall be added to EBITDA for such period.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means an offering of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Capital Stock that by its terms has a preference in liquidation or as to dividends over any other Capital Stock) of the Company (other than (1) an offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company and (2) an offering with aggregate net proceeds to the Company of less than $35.0 million).

 

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“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear System, and any successor thereto.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exchange Notes” means (1) the Company’s 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.

“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Exchanging Dealer” means a broker-dealer that holds Notes that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) that is participating in the Registered Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Excluded Property” means:

(i) rights under any contracts, leases or other instruments that contain a valid and enforceable prohibition on assignment of such rights (except to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law or principles of equity), but only for so long as such prohibition exists and is effective and valid;

(ii) property and assets owned by the Company or any Guarantor that are the subject of:

 

  (A)

Liens on assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (1) such Liens secure solely Indebtedness permitted by section 4.09(b)(iv) hereof or any obligations or liabilities under any related Hedging Agreement (for purposes of this clause (i), as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement), (2) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (3) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (4) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

  (B)

Liens on the GEO HQ granted pursuant to a real property mortgage (and associated security instruments); provided that such Liens (1) secure solely GEO HQ Indebtedness or any obligations or liabilities under any related Hedging Agreement (for purposes of this clause (i), as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement), or any call option in respect of convertible or exchangeable debt securities issued by the Company or any Guarantor and (2) shall not apply to or otherwise encumber any other property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,

but only if and for so long as (w) such property and assets do not secure any other First Lien Secured Obligations, (x) such Liens are in effect, (y) the agreements or instruments evidencing or governing such Indebtedness prohibit the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement from being secured by such assets and (z) no part of the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and no letter of credit issued under the Credit Agreement was used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of such assets;

 

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(iii) Immaterial Government Contracts that are the subject of Liens permitted by clause (24) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; and (iv) any assets with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the administrative agent for the lenders under the Credit Agreement and the Company (as agreed in writing), the cost or other adverse consequences (including adverse tax consequences) of pledging such assets would be excessive in relation to the benefits to be obtained by such lenders therefrom.

“Excluded Real Property” means the GEO HQ, Delaney Hall and the Deyton Detention Facility.

“Existing Indebtedness” means the Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the Notes) in existence on the date hereof, including the 2031 Senior Notes and the 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes, until such amounts are repaid.

“Facility” means a correctional, detention, mental health or other facility the principal function of which is to carry out a Permitted Business.

“First Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, among the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Company and the Guarantors, as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, renewed, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified.

“First Lien Secured Obligations” means the Obligations under (i) the Credit Agreement, (ii) the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents, and (iii) any other Indebtedness secured on a first lien pari passu basis with such Obligations; provided that such Indebtedness is expressly permitted to be so incurred, secured and guaranteed on such first lien pari passu basis by the then existing documents governing the First Lien Secured Obligations and the holders of such Indebtedness or their Designated Representative shall have become party to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized, including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations, net of Non-Recourse Interest Payments received in cash by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary relating to any Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness up to the amount of interest expense for such Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness, but excluding amortization of debt issuance costs and non-cash interest expense imputed on convertible debt instruments pursuant to APB No. 14-1; plus

(2) any Interest Expense on Indebtedness of another Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(3) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local effective cash tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Adjusted EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.

 

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In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period, provided, however, that interest expense, if any, attributable to any Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis, shall be computed giving pro forma effect to any Non-Recourse Interest Payments related to such Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness, provided, further, that the obligation to make such Non-Recourse Interest Payments commences with the incurrence of the corresponding Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and Adjusted EBITDA for such reference period will be calculated on a pro forma basis in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, but without giving effect to clause (3) of the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income; provided that, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio with respect to the Company, such calculations on a pro forma basis may, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Regulation S-X, include adjustments to reflect the amount of cost savings, operational improvements and synergies projected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of actions taken or expected to be taken within 12 months (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operational improvements and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided, further, that (x) such cost savings, operational improvements and synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (y) such cost savings, operational improvements and synergies are expected to be realized within 18 months of the date thereof in connection with such actions and (z) the aggregate amount of cost savings, operational improvements and synergies added pursuant to this proviso shall not exceed 15.0% of Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis for the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the Transaction Date;

(2) the Adjusted EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded; and

(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.

“Flood Zone” means an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as an area having special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made available under the Flood Act.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

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“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, without giving effect to any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2018. All ratios and computations contained or referred to herein shall be computed in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

“GEO HQ” means that certain real property located in Boca Raton, Florida described on Schedule I to the Credit Agreement (under the heading “GEO Group, Inc. Headquarters Property”), together with all improvements thereto and furniture, fixtures and equipment located therein, in each case owned by any of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

“GEO HQ Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of the GEO HQ, Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any such Indebtedness, and extensions renewals, refinancings and replacements of all or any part of any such Indebtedness that do not result in an increase of the outstanding aggregate principal amount thereof by more than the amount required to pay any penalty, premium, accrued and unpaid interest, and transaction fees and expenses incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.08(g)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes issued to the Depositary in accordance with certain sections of this Indenture.

“Government Contract” means a contract between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and a Governmental Authority located in the United States or all obligations of any such Governmental Authority as account debtor arising under any Account (as defined in the UCC) now existing or hereafter arising owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

“Government Operating Agreement” means any management services contract, operating agreement, use agreement, lease or similar agreement with a Governmental Authority relating to a Facility in a Permitted Business.

“Government Securities” means securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities.

“Governmental Authority” means any nation, province, state, municipality or political subdivision thereof, and any government or any agency or instrumentality thereof exercising executive, legislative, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness, provided that the pledge of any Government Operating Agreement with respect to any Facility to secure Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to such Facility shall not be deemed a Guarantee. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantors” or “Guarantor” means (i) the Initial Guarantors and any other Restricted Subsidiary that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and its respective successors and assigns until released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and (ii) any Parent Company and any parent entity of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and its respective successors and assigns.

 

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“Hedging Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or its Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates; and

(3) foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements, currency option agreements and other agreements or arrangements with respect to foreign currency exchange rates.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

“Immaterial Government Contracts” means all Government Contracts that pertain to a Facility or Facilities owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary and are required to be assigned to secure related Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that the amount of EBITDA reasonably attributable to all Immaterial Government Contracts in the aggregate for the four fiscal quarters ending on or most recently ended prior to any date of determination shall not exceed 10% of EBITDA for the same four fiscal quarter period. For purposes of this definition of Immaterial Government Contracts, the term “EBITDA” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Credit Agreement.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or

(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person; provided that the pledge of any Government Operating Agreement to secure Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to the Facility that is the subject of such Government Operating Agreement shall not be deemed Indebtedness) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and

 

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(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Initial Additional Authorized Representative” has the meaning ascribed thereto under the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

“Initial Guarantors” means the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that Guarantee the Notes on the Issue Date, which are all of the Company’s Subsidiaries that Guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date, all of which are signatories to this Indenture.

“Initial Notes” means (1) $650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 issued on the Issue Date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

“Initial Purchasers” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Persons purchasing such Initial Notes under the related Purchase Agreement and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

“Installment Sale” means any sale of a property by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Other Consolidated Person, as seller, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as an installment sale on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons.

“Interest Expense” means, for any period, the sum, for the Company and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP), of the following: (a) all interest and fees in respect of Indebtedness (including the interest component of any payments in respect of Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases accounted for as interest under GAAP) accrued or capitalized during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period) plus (b) the net amount payable (or minus the net amount receivable) under Hedging Agreements relating to interest during such period (whether or not actually paid or received during such period) minus (c) interest income (excluding interest income in respect of Capital Leases and Installment Sales) during such period (whether or not actually received during such period).

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP and including the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of all Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof.

“Issue Date” means the first date Notes are issued under this Indenture.

 

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“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the UCC (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.

“Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the series of Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding series of First Lien Secured Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided, however, that if there are two outstanding series of First Lien Secured Obligations which have an equal outstanding principal amount, the series of Obligations with the earlier maturity date shall be considered to have the larger outstanding principal amount for purposes of this definition.

“Material Real Property” means (a) any domestic real property interest, including improvements, owned or leased by the Company or any Guarantor that has a net book value in excess of $10.0 million or (b) any domestic real property owned or leased by the Company or any Guarantor that is to be secured by a Mortgage such that after giving effect to such Mortgage, the Collateral includes at least 80% of the net book value of the domestic real property interests of the Company and the Guarantors, whichever of clause (a) or (b) represents a greater proportion of the net book value of all domestic real property interests of the Company and the Guarantors; provided, however, that no Excluded Real Property (as defined in the Credit Agreement on the date hereof) shall constitute “Material Real Property” for purposes of this Indenture and the Security Documents.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Mortgages” means, collectively, one or more mortgages and deeds of trust (or equivalent instruments), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (each with such changes as may be appropriate in the applicable jurisdiction) (provided that such form and substance shall be deemed satisfactory if any such Mortgage shall be substantially similar to the comparable Mortgage provided under the Credit Agreement which are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, subject to factual changes necessary to reflect the Notes), executed (and where appropriate, acknowledged) by the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, and covering (i) the properties listed on Annex I and (ii) thereafter, the properties and leasehold interests of the Company and the Guarantors that are required to be subject to the Lien of a Mortgage in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with: (a) any sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries ;

(2) any extraordinary gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain or loss;

(3) any loss resulting from impairment of goodwill recorded on the consolidated financial statements of such Person pursuant to ASC 350 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”;

 

15


(4) any loss resulting from the change in fair value of a derivative financial instrument pursuant to ASC 815 “Derivative and Hedging”; and

(5) amortization of debt issuance costs.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash (but excluding Designated Non-Cash Consideration until such time as actual cash payments are made with respect thereto) or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:

(i) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale;

(ii) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements;

(iii) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale;

(iv) any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP; and

(v) so long as after giving pro forma effect to any such distribution no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the amount required to be distributed to the holders of the Company’s (or any direct or indirect Parent Company’s) Capital Stock as a result of such Asset Sale in order to enable the Company (or any such Parent Company) to avoid payment of any tax for any calendar year that could be avoided by reason of a distribution by the Company to its shareholders, with such distribution to be made as and when determined by the Company, whether during or after the end of, the relevant calendar year.

“Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date” means, with respect to any Authorized Representative (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative), the date which is 180 days (throughout which 180-day period such Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of both (i) an event of default and (ii) each Collateral Agent’s and each other Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Authorized Representative certifying that (x) such Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an event of default has occurred and is continuing and (y) the First Lien Secured Obligations of the series with respect to which such Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise); provided that, such event of default shall be continuing at the end of such 180-day period; provided, further that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or (2) at any time the Company or any Guarantor which has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral, as the case may be, is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any insolvency or liquidation proceeding. To the extent the Trustee is the Authorized Representative, it shall, in all cases, be entitled to written instruction from the required Holders prior to delivering any such certification.

“Non-Recourse” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation and to any Person, that such Person has not Guaranteed or provided credit support of any kind (including a “Keepwell” arrangement) with respect to such Indebtedness or other obligation, and is not otherwise liable, directly or indirectly, for such Indebtedness or other obligation, and that any action or inaction by such Person, including, without limitation, any default by such Person on its own Indebtedness or other obligations, will not result in any default, event of default, acceleration, or increased financial or other obligations, under or with respect to such Indebtedness or other obligation; provided that any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or Other Consolidated Person that would otherwise be Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries solely due to (A) any investment funded at the time or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (B) the assignment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of its rights under any Government Operating Agreement to secure Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness or other obligations of any Other Consolidated Person, related to such Government Operating Agreement.

 

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“Non-Recourse Debt Service” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the sum of, without duplication (a) the net interest expense of such Person with respect to Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined for such period, without duplication, on a consolidated or combined basis, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP, (b) the scheduled principal payments required to be made during such period by such Person with respect to Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (c) rent expense for such period associated with Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of a Subsidiary (the “Project Financing Subsidiary”) incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction or development of any Facility (and any Attributable Debt in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction entered into in connection with (i) the acquisition, construction or development of any Facility by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture or (ii) any vacant land upon which a Facility related to any Permitted Business is to be built):

(1) where either the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or such Project Financing Subsidiary operates or is responsible for the operation of the Facility pursuant to a Government Operating Agreement;

(2) as to which neither the Company nor any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, other than such Project Financing Subsidiary, (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness or Attributable Debt), it being understood that neither (i) equity Investments funded at the time of or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or Attributable Debt, nor (ii) the pledge by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Government Operating Agreement relating to such Facility shall be deemed credit support or an Investment or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise;

(3) where, upon the termination of the management services contract with respect to such Facility, neither the Company nor any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, other than the Project Financing Subsidiary, will be liable, directly or indirectly, to make any payments with respect to such Indebtedness or Attributable Debt (or, in each case, any portion thereof);

(4) the interest expense related to such Indebtedness or Attributable Debt is fully serviced by a payment pursuant to a Government Operating Agreement with respect to such Facility (the “Non-Recourse Interest Payment”); and

(5) such Project Financing Subsidiary has no assets other than the assets, including any ownership or leasehold interests in such Facility and any working capital, reasonably related to the design, construction, management and financing of the Facility.

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Note Guarantee” means a Guarantee by each Guarantor of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes.

“Notes” means, collectively, the Initial Notes, the Additional Notes, the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes, treated as a single class of securities, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, that are issued pursuant to this Indenture.

“Notes Secured Parties” means the Holders, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and the permitted successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

 

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“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, expenses, premiums, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by at least two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

“Other Consolidated Persons” means Persons, none of the Equity Interests of which are owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whose financial statements are required to be consolidated with the financial statements of the Company in accordance with GAAP.

“Parent Company” means any Person so long as such Person (i) holds, directly or indirectly, 100% of the total voting power of the Capital Stock of the Company and (ii) provides a Note Guarantee; and at and after the time such Person acquired such voting power, (x) no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall be or become a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Capital Stock of such Person and (y) each of the total assets, revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities of such Person, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding in each case amounts related to its investment in the Company, as shown in the most recent fiscal quarter financial statements of such Person (measured on a most recent trailing four fiscal quarter basis with respect to revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities), is not more than 3.0% of such Person’s corresponding consolidated amount determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

“Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction” means (a) any call option or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on the common stock of the Company purchased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an incurrence of Permitted Convertible Indebtedness and (b) any call option or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) replacing or refinancing the foregoing; provided that (x) the sum of (i) the purchase price for any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction occurring after the Issue Date plus (ii) the purchase price for any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction it is refinancing or replacing, if any, minus (iii) the cash proceeds received upon the termination or the retirement of the Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction it is replacing or refinancing, if any, less (y) the sum of (i) the cash proceeds from the sale of the related Permitted Warrant Transaction plus (ii) the cash proceeds from the sale of any Permitted Warrant Transaction refinancing or replacing such related Permitted Warrant Transaction, if any, minus (iii) the amount paid upon termination or retirement of such related Permitted Warrant Transaction, if any, does not exceed the net cash proceeds from the incurrence of the related Permitted Convertible Indebtedness.

“Permitted Business” means the business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture and businesses reasonably related thereto or ancillary or incidental thereto or a reasonable extension thereof, including the provision of services or goods to Governmental Authorities.

“Permitted Convertible Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (which may be Guaranteed by the Guarantors) permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof that is (1) convertible into or exchangeable for common stock of the Company (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock) or (2) sold as units with call options, warrants, rights or obligations to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transactions) that are exercisable for common stock of the Company and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock).

 

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“Permitted Convertible Indebtedness Call Transaction” means any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and any Permitted Warrant Transaction.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary);

(2) any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary), if as a result of such Investment:

 

  (a)

such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary); or

 

  (b)

such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary);

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer;

(6) Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for any speculative purpose;

(7) other Investments in any other Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) not to exceed: (a) $125.0 million; plus (b) the net reductions in Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) resulting from distributions on or repayments of such Investments or from the net cash proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, that, the net reduction in any Investment shall not exceed the amount of such Investment;

(8) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

(9) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not to exceed $7.5 million outstanding at any one time for all loans or advances under this clause (9);

(10) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor;

(11) Investments in existence on the date of this Indenture;

 

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(12) Investments that are made or received in exchange for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(13) Investments in South African Services Pty Ltd. having an aggregate fair market value, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) not to exceed $50.0 million;

(14) any Investments made or acquired with the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(15) any Investment in any Person that is not at the time of such Investment, or does not thereby become, a Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate amount (measured on the date such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (15) since the Issue Date (but, to the extent that any Investment made pursuant to this clause (15) since the Issue Date is sold or otherwise liquidated for cash, minus the lesser of (a) the cash return of capital with respect to such Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (b) the initial amount of such Investment) not to exceed 20% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; provided that the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or a Permitted Joint Venture has entered, or concurrently with any such Investment, enters into or assumes a Government Operating Agreement with respect to assets of such Person that are used or useful in a Permitted Business; and

(16) Investments consisting of the financing of the sale of equipment (including capital leases) to customers in connection with any contract for services entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business.

“Permitted Joint Venture” means any Person that is engaged in a Permitted Business and in which the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries directly owns (A) at least 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of such Person and (B) at least 50% of the Equity Interests in such Person.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens on any assets (including real or personal property) of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under (i) Credit Facilities incurred under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof and (ii) the Notes issued on the date hereof (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not any additional Notes issued following the date hereof), in each case that were permitted to be incurred by the terms of this Indenture; (7) Liens existing on the date hereof;

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition and do not extend to any property other than the property so acquired by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) incurred under Section 4.09(b)(iv) hereof covering only the assets acquired with such Indebtedness;

(8) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

(9) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that any such Lien does not extend to or cover any property, Capital Stock or Indebtedness other than the property, shares or debt securing the Indebtedness so refunded, refinanced or extended;

(10) Attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to a Default or an Event of Default;

(11) Liens on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(12) Liens incurred with respect to obligations that do not exceed $35.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(13) pledges or deposits under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or deposits or cash or Government Securities to secure surety or appeal bonds to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(14) Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if a reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

(15) encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or liens incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

(16) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness (other than any 2031 Senior Notes) is secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(17) leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(18) normal customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

(19) Liens on assets of a Project Financing Subsidiary securing Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness of such Project Financing Subsidiary and Liens on any Government Operating Agreement securing Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to the Facility that is the subject of such Government Operating Agreement;

 

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(20) any interest or title of a lessor, licensor or sublicensor in the property subject to any lease, license or sublicense (other than property that is the subject of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction);

(21) Liens on deposits or other amounts held in escrow to secure payments (contingent or otherwise) payable by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any acquisition permitted by the terms of this Indenture;

(22) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under clause (xi) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(23) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under clause (xiv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by a Lien that is pari passu with the Liens securing the Notes and Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and (ii) the holders of such Indebtedness or their Designated Representative shall have become party to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement;

(24) the assignment by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of rights under Immaterial Government Contracts pertaining to a Facility or Facilities owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure related Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(25) any Lien on cash resulting from the deposit of funds into an irrevocable escrow in satisfaction of the “Maturity Reserve Condition” (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or similar condition.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries issued in repayment of, exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, repay, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); provided, that:

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);

(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded;

(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded; and

(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by any Restricted Subsidiary who is an obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded.

“Permitted Warrant Transaction” means any call options, warrants or rights to purchase (or substantively equivalent derivative transactions) on common stock of the Company purchased or sold by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries substantially concurrently with a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.

 

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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

“preferred stock” as used herein means as applied to Capital Stock of any Person, Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

“Private Exchange” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to the Initial Purchasers to issue and deliver to each Initial Purchaser, in exchange for the Initial Notes held by the Initial Purchaser as part of its initial distribution, a like aggregate principal amount of Private Exchange Notes.

“Private Exchange Notes” means any 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 issued in connection with a Private Exchange.

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.08(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Purchase Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement, dated April 4, 2024, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the representative of the Initial Purchasers of the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company and the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the representative of the Initial Purchasers of the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

“Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominees, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominees that shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Regulation S.

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.08(g)(iii) hereof.

 

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“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any vice president, assistant vice president or other trust officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A or D attached hereto, as applicable, that bears the Global Note Legend, bears the Private Placement Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Definitive Notes and Restricted Global Notes.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement relating to property with a book value in excess of $15.0 million now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to another Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person other than a lease properly characterized pursuant to GAAP as a Capital Lease Obligation, other than transfers and leases among the Company and any Restricted Subsidiaries or among Restricted Subsidiaries.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of this Indenture the SEC is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Securities Act, Exchange Act and Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Section 4(a)(2)” means Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Security Documents” means, collectively, the security agreements relating to the Collateral and instruments filed and recorded in appropriate jurisdictions to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral (including, without limitation, financing statements under the UCC of the relevant states applicable to the Collateral), each for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties (whether or not through the agency of any agent or other representative), as amended, amended and restated, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

“Shared Collateral” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more series of First Lien Secured Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives) hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien at such time. If more than two series of First Lien Secured Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all series of First Lien Secured Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those series of First Lien Secured Obligations that hold a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest or Lien in such Collateral at such time.

 

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“Shelf Registration Statement” means the registration statement filed by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes or Private Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any specified Person: (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

“Synthetic Leases” means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product where such transaction is considered borrowed money Indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, except as provided in Section 9.03 hereof.

“Transactions” means, collectively, the offerings of the 2031 Senior Notes and the Notes, the entry into the Credit Agreement and incurrence of tranche B term loans thereunder on the Issue Date, the application of the net proceeds of the offerings of the 2031 Senior Notes and the Notes and such tranche B loans, in each case, as described in the final version of the offering memorandum relating to the offerings of the 2031 Senior Notes and the Notes, dated April 4, 2024.

“Transaction Date” means, with respect to the incurrence of any Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, the date such Indebtedness is to be incurred and, with respect to any Restricted Payment, the date such Restricted Payment is to be made.

“Treasury Rate” means as of any date of redemption of Notes the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two (2) Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2026; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2026 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2026 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

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“Trustee” means Ankura Trust Company, LLC, together with its successors and assigns, in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor trustee serving hereunder.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

“Unoccupied Facility” means any prison facility owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which for the fifty-two week period ending on the date of measurement has had an average occupancy level of less than 15%.

“Unrestricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Company and its Subsidiaries that are not subject to any Lien or preferential arrangement in favor of any Person to protect such Person against loss and are not part of any funded reserve established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries required by GAAP.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D attached hereto, as applicable, that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, and does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” or “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” means (a) CSC of Tacoma, LLC, GEO International Holdings, LLC, Florina Insurance Company, GEO Design Services, Inc., WCC Financial, Inc., WCC Development, Inc., GEO/FL/01, Inc., GEO/FL/02, Inc., GEO/FL/03, Inc., The GEO Group UK Ltd., The GEO Group Ltd., South African Custodial Holdings Pty. Ltd., The GEO Group Australasia Pty, Ltd., GEO Australasia Pty, Ltd., The GEO Group Australia Pty, Ltd., Australasian Correctional Investment, Ltd., Pacific Rim Employment Pty, Ltd., Canadian Correctional Management, Inc., South African Custodial Services Pty, Ltd. (SACS), South African Custodial Management Pty, Ltd., GEO Australia Management Services Pty, Ltd., Australasian Correctional Services Pty, Ltd., Sentencing Concepts, Inc., BI Puerto Rico, Inc., GEO Amey Ltd., GEO FIC Holdings, LLC, GEO/DE/MC/03 LLC, Premier Custodial Group Ltd., Premier Custodial Services Group Ltd., Premier Custodial Services Ltd, Premier Prison Services Ltd., Correct Care Australasia Pty Ltd., BI of Australia Pty Ltd., Clearstream Development Courthouse Commons, LLC, Cypress-Spring Investments, LLC, Four Streams Investment, LLC, Park 19 Holdings, LLC, Patriotic Partners Inc., Strategic Portfolio Solutions San Diego, LLC, and Strategic Portfolio Solutions, LLC; (b) any other Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution; and (c) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of any Subsidiary described in clauses (a) or (b).

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction, or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

(1) such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(2) such designation and the Investment of the Company in such Subsidiary complies with Section 4.07 hereof.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted under Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant.

 

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The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

“U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at the time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange Rates” table under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two (2) Business Days prior to such determination.

Except as described in Section 4.09 hereof, whenever it is necessary to determine whether the Company has complied with any covenant in this Indenture or a Default has occurred and an amount is expressed in a currency other than U.S. dollars, such amount will be treated as the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined as of the date such amount was initially incurred in such currency.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal or liquidation preference, as the case may be, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (2) the then outstanding aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, as the case may be, of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any specified Person means a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interest of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term    Defined in Section
Act    13.14(a)
Affiliate Transaction    4.11(a)
Asset Sale Offer    4.10(d)
Authentication Order    2.02
Change of Control Offer    4.14(a)
Change of Control Payment    4.14(a)
Change of Control Payment Date    4.14(a)
Company    5.02
Covenant Defeasance    8.03
DTC    2.04(b)
Event of Default    6.01(a)
Excess Proceeds    4.10(d)
Fixture Filings    12.07(a)(ii)(A)
indenture securities    1.03
indenture security Holder    1.03

 

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indenture to be qualified    1.03
indenture trustee    1.03
Independent Assets    4.03(d)
institutional trustee    1.03
Legal Defeasance    8.02
obligor    1.03
Offer Amount    3.09
Offer Period    3.09
Operations    4.03(d)
Option of Holder to Elect Purchase    3.09(vi)
Paying Agent    2.04(a)
Payment Default    6.01(a)(v)(1)
Permitted Debt    4.09(b)
Purchase Date    3.09
Registrar    2.04(a)
Repurchase Offer    3.09
Restricted Payments    4.07(a)(iv)
Specified Courts    13.09
Suspension Period    4.19(b)
Title Companies    12.07(a)(ii)(B)

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(iii) “or” is not exclusive;

(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(v) provisions apply to successive events and transactions

(vi) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time; and

 

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(vii) references, in any context, to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest that is payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

ARTICLE TWO

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Initial Notes and the Trustee’s (or its agent’s) certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Trustee’s (or its agent’s) certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in registered, global form without interest coupons and only shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto), as applicable. Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto), as applicable. Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, repurchases and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.08 hereof.

(c) 144A Global Notes. Initial Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of the 144A Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or its agent as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of a 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Temporary Global Notes. Initial Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or its agent as hereinafter provided. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in each Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of a Regulation S Permanent Global Note as hereinafter provided, the Trustee at the request of the Company pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate shall cancel the corresponding Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

 

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(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

One Officer of the Company shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or electronic signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or its agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence and the only evidence, that the Note has been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Trustee or its agent shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue on the date hereof in the aggregate principal amount of $650,000,000, and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee or its agent shall, pursuant to an Authentication Order, authenticate Additional Notes for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order and Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, respectively, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Notes. The Authentication Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, whether such Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, and in the case of an issuance of Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.16 after the Issue Date, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09 and Section 4.12. In authenticating such Notes, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(A) a copy of the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company in or pursuant to which the terms of the Notes were established, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect as of the date of such certificate;

(B) an Officers’ Certificate delivered in accordance with Section 13.04(i) hereof; and

(C) an Opinion of Counsel delivered in accordance with Section 13.04(ii) hereof and which shall also state:

(1) that such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; and

(2) that all laws and corporate requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Notes have been complied with.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Notes under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights and protections as an Agent to deal with Holders, the Company and/or an Affiliate of the Company. As of the Issue Date, the Trustee has appointed The Huntington National Bank to act as authenticating agent.

Section 2.03 Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes.

If a Holder of Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the City and State of New York unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee or its agent shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(b) The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

(c) The Company initially appoints the Trustee or its agent to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or one of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.06 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven (7) Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

 

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Section 2.07 Registration.

The Company shall cause the Trustee to keep, so long as it is the Registrar, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or such other office as the Trustee may designate, a register of the Notes (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof being herein sometimes referred to as the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Registrar may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Trustee shall initially be the Registrar for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may change the Registrar or appoint one or more co-Registrars without prior notice; provided that the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Company changes the Registrar or appoints a co-Registrar.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Notes at the office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof , the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount.

Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in a Notes shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver, Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same Indebtedness, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or for exchange, repurchase or redemption, shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer, exchange or redemption of Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Section 2.09 hereof not involving any transfer, except for any transfer tax or similar governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.12, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14 or 9.05 hereof or pursuant to any offer for the Notes which the Company may make to the Holders pursuant to the provisions of any indenture supplemental hereto).

The Company shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen (15) days before the mailing or delivery of a notice of redemption of Notes pursuant to Article Three hereof or any applicable provision of an indenture supplemental hereto and ending at the close of business on the day of such delivery, (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of Notes being redeemed in part or (c) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a regular record date and the next succeeding interest payment date or a special record date and the next succeeding special payment date.

Any Note authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, any Global Note, whether pursuant to this Section 2.07, Sections 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 3.06 and 9.05 hereto or otherwise, shall also be a Global Note and bear the legend specified in Exhibit A hereto.

 

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All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.07 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by email with the original to follow by first class mail.

Agent Members shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or under the Global Notes. The Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Notes for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note. None of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent nor the Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the Depositary with respect to such Global Note, for the records of the Depositary, including records in respect of the beneficial owners of any such Global Note, for any transactions between the Depository and any Agent Member or between or among the Depositary, any such Agent Member and/or any Holder or beneficial owner of such Global Note, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Note.

Section 2.08 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary; (ii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.09 and 2.12 hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.08(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.08(b), (c), (i) or (j) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.08(b)(i).

 

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(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.08(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount at maturity of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.08(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.08(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) or (3)(d) thereof; and

(B) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.08(b)(ii) above and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(C) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

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(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (iv), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be exchanged for Definitive Notes only pursuant to this clause (c).

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.08(a) hereof, subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08(b)(ii) and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an “offshore transaction” in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) [Reserved];

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

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the Trustee shall, at the written request of the Company, cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.08(h) hereof, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.08(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.08(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.08(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of the Securities Act.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.08(a) and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08(b)(ii) hereof and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by an Exchanging Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.08(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall, at the written request of the Company, cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.08(h) hereof, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.08(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.08(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) [Reserved];

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

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the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) or (E) above, the 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable letter of transmittal that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by an Exchanging Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.08(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.08(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.08(e).

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A) such exchange is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certified in the applicable letter of transmittal that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by an Exchanging Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) General Provisions relating to Transfers and Exchanges. The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of Depositary records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any Depositary records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for transfers of beneficial interests in the Notes or any transactions between the Depositary and beneficial owners.

(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(i) Private Placement Legend. Except as permitted below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE GEO GROUP, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) PURSUANT TO (2)(C), (D) OR (E), THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE GEO GROUP, INC.

 

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SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e) (ii) or (e)(iii) to this Section 2.08 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.13 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. Each Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.13 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

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(i) Registered Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable letters of transmittal that (x) they are not Exchanging Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in a Registered Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable letters of transmittal that (x) they are not Exchanging Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in a Registered Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall, at the written request of the Company, cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and mail or deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with a Registered Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

(j) Private Exchange. Upon the occurrence of a Private Exchange in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate (i) one or more Restricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for exchange by the Initial Purchasers and (ii) Restricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for exchange by the Initial Purchasers. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall, at the written request of the Company, cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and mail or deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so exchanged Restricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer, the Exchange Notes issued in connection with such Registered Exchange Offer, and Private Exchange Notes issued in connection with a Private Exchange, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

Section 2.09 Replacement Notes.

(a) If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

(b) Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.10 Outstanding Notes.

(a) The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee (or its agent) except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.11 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

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(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any of the foregoing) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.11 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has been notified in writing are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.12 Temporary Notes.

(a) Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

(b) Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.13 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent, and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its procedures for the disposition of canceled securities in effect as of the date of such disposition (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposition of all canceled Notes shall be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date shall be less than ten (10) days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least fifteen (15) days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or deliver or cause to be mailed or delivered to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

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Section 2.16 Issuance of Additional Notes.

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09 and Section 4.12, to issue Additional Notes without the consent of the Holders under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price. The Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

(b) the issue price, the issue date and the “CUSIP” numbers of such Additional Notes;

(c) whether such Additional Notes shall be Restricted Notes and issued in the form of Initial Notes as set forth in Exhibit A to this Indenture or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes as set forth in Exhibit D to this Indenture; and

(d) if any Additional Notes are not fungible with any of the Notes then outstanding for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

(a) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption or purchase as follows: (1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed as certified to the Trustee by the Company, and in compliance with the procedures and requirements of DTC; or (2) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts tendered), by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures subject to adjustments so that no Notes in an unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in amounts of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or deliver or cause to be mailed or delivered, by first class mail or electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than sixty (60) days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP numbers) to be redeemed and shall state:

(i) the redemption date;

(ii) the redemption price;

(iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount at maturity of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued (or cause to be transferred by book entry) in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price and become due on the date fixed for redemption;

(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(ix) any condition to such redemption.

(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five (5) Business Days before the notice of redemption is required to be mailed or sent, or caused to be mailed or sent to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.03(a). The notice, if mailed or sent in the manner provided herein shall be presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed or sent in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price, subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent relating thereto specified in the applicable notice of redemption. As long as the Notes are issued in global form, notices to be given to Holders will be given to DTC, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time.

Any notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, consummation or occurrence of any related Equity Offering, incurrence of Indebtedness, Change of Control or other transaction, as the case may be.

 

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In addition, if such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than sixty (60) days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. The Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

(a) One (1) Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

(b) If the Company complies with the provisions of Section 3.05(a), on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 3.05(a), interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue (or cause to be transferred by book entry) and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered. No Notes in denominations of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) On or after April 15, 2026, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) upon not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date) if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2026

     104.313

2027

     102.156

2028 and thereafter

     100.000

(b) In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 108.625%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date), with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that: (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within ninety (90) days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering.

 

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(c) Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

(d) Prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date). Notice of such redemption shall be sent to DTC in the case of Global Notes, or mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address in the case of certificated notes (and, to the extent permitted by applicable procedures and regulations, electronically), not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date.

(e) During any twelve-month period prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

(f) The Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to the determination of any redemption price.

(g) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 [Reserved].

Section 3.09 Repurchase Offers.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase their respective Notes (a “Repurchase Offer”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.

The Repurchase Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five (5) Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Repurchase Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer.

Upon the commencement of a Repurchase Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail or electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer. The Repurchase Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Repurchase Offer, shall state:

 

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(i) that the Repurchase Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 hereof, and the length of time the Repurchase Offer shall remain open;

(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrete or accrue interest, if any;

(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note (or portion thereof) accepted for payment pursuant to the Repurchase Offer shall cease to accrete or accrue interest, if any, after the Purchase Date;

(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Repurchase Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in principal amounts of $2,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof only;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Repurchase Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, the Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(viii) that, if the aggregate amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis or in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and (ix) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes (or portions thereof) tendered pursuant to the Repurchase Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall send to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes (or portions thereof) were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or send to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of Notes tendered by such Holder, as the case may be, and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company, shall promptly issue a new Note. The Trustee, upon written request from the Company with an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or send electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount at maturity equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the respective Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Repurchase Offer as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to a Repurchase Offer.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

 

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Section 3.10 Application of Trust Money.

All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.02 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE FOUR

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

(a) The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, on the Restricted Notes in the same manner and on the same dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculation of Additional Interest.

(b) The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the United States (which may be an office of the Trustee or an agent of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company, upon request, shall furnish to the Holders of Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:

(i) all quarterly and annual financial and other information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

 

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(ii) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

(b) In addition, whether or not required by the SEC, the Company shall file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (a)(i) and (ii) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to prospective investors upon request.

(c) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by Section 4.03(a) hereof will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 4.03(a), (b) and (c), if any direct or indirect parent company of the Company provides a full and unconditional Guarantee of the Notes, the reports, information and other documents required to be filed and furnished as required by Section 4.03(a), (b) and (c) may be those of such parent company, rather than those of the Company; provided that, if and so long as such parent company shall have Independent Assets or Operations, the same is accompanied by consolidating information relating to such parent company, on the one hand, and information relating to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand. The Company shall be deemed to have furnished to the Holders of Notes, and to have filed with the SEC and delivered to the Trustee, the information and reports referred to in subclauses (i) and (ii) of Section 4.03(a) and Section 4.03(c) and this clause (d) (or such information and reports of a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, if applicable), if such information and reports have been filed with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor filing system of the SEC) and are publicly available. “Independent Assets” or “Operations” means, with respect to any such direct or indirect parent company of the Company, that each of the total assets, revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities of such parent company, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding in each case amounts related to its investment in the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown in the most recent fiscal quarter financial statements of such parent company (measured on a most recent trailing four fiscal quarter basis with respect to revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities), is more than 3.0% of such parent company’s corresponding consolidated amount determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability for the filing, timeliness or content of such reports, information or documents. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

(e) In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be deemed to have failed to comply with any obligations under this Section 4.03 for purposes of Article Six of this Indenture until 120 days after the date any report under this Section 4.03 is due.

 

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Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company shall and shall cause each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) to send to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, send to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, forthwith upon the Company becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, any material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable (A) in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or (B) to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company;

(iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee, except a payment of interest or principal to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or except any payment made at the Stated Maturity thereof (or any payment, purchase or other acquisition, in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity due within one year); or

 

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(iv) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment; and

(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b)(ii) through (ix) hereof and including the net amount of any Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof) is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(A) 50% of the aggregate amount of the Consolidated Net Income (or, if the Consolidated Net Income is a loss, minus 100% of the amount of such loss) of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis for the period (taken as one accounting period) from April 1, 2024, to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment; plus

(B) (i) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds plus (ii) 100% of the aggregate fair market value of any Permitted Business or assets used or useful in a Permitted Business (other than Restricted Investments), in each case, to the extent received by the Company since the Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or in consideration of the issuance of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), except to the extent used to make an Investment pursuant to clause (12) or (14) of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” or from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock or debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Issue Date is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment; plus

(D) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation or (ii) the fair market value of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent such Investment was treated as a Restricted Payment, plus the amount of any Investments made in such Subsidiary subsequent to such designation (or in the case of any Subsidiary that was an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Issue Date, subsequent to the Issue Date) to the extent any such Investment was treated as a Restricted Payment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; plus

 

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(E) 100% of any other dividends or other distributions received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period in an amount not to exceed the amount of Restricted Investments previously made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(b) So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the preceding provisions will not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(3)(B);

(iii) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(iv) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(v) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon (a) exercise of stock options to the extent that shares of such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options and (b) the withholding of a portion of the Equity Interests granted or awarded to an employee to pay taxes associated therewith;

(vi) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any member of the Company’s (or any Restricted Subsidiary’s) management; provided that the aggregate amount expended pursuant to this clause (vi) shall not exceed $10.0 million in any twelve-month period;

(vii) Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted in an amount not to exceed $125.0 million;

(viii) the repurchase by the Company of its common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed an amount equal to 10.0% of the aggregate principal amount of 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes repurchased on and after the Issue Date; and

(ix) Restricted Payments made, if, at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment, and after giving effect thereto (including, without limitation, the incurrence of any Indebtedness to finance such Restricted Payment), the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company would not exceed 2.00 to 1.00.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee. Except with respect to a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.07(b)(i) through (ix), the determination of the Company’s Board of Directors must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market value exceeds $25.0 million. Not later than the date on which such Restricted Payment was made, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this Section 4.07 were computed.

 

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Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) However, the restrictions set forth in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness, the Credit Facilities and the Notes as in effect on the date hereof and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided, that, the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date hereof;

(ii) this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement;

(iii) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

(iv) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(v) customary non-assignment provisions of any contract or agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business and customary provisions restricting subletting or transfer of any interest in real or personal property contained in any lease or easement agreement of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(vi) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(iii) hereof;

(vii) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(viii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to dividends and other payments are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(ix) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(x) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) any Indebtedness incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof by any Foreign Subsidiary or any Guarantor, or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, if the encumbrance or restriction applies only to such Foreign Subsidiary or Guarantor and only in the event of a payment default or default with respect to a financial covenant contained in the Indebtedness or agreement and the encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes than is customary in comparable financings (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company) and the Board of Directors of the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to pay interest or principal on the Notes; or

(xiii) an arrangement or circumstance arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that does not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any Disqualified Stock or preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock and any Foreign Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the preferred stock or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) Section 4.09(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness or the issuance of Disqualified Stock, as set forth below (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(i) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (i) not to exceed an amount equal to (x) $760.0 million, plus (y) an amount not in excess of (i) the greater of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 100% of Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Company most recently ended prior to the calculation of such amount for which annual or quarterly financial statements, as applicable, have been delivered under Section 4.03 calculated, if the applicable Indebtedness is being incurred to finance an acquisition permitted under this Indenture, on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,” minus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness previously incurred pursuant to this subclause (y), less the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to repay any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, pursuant to Section 4.10;

 

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(ii) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Existing Indebtedness;

(iii) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Notes to be issued on the date hereof and any Guarantees thereof by any Guarantor;

(iv) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) 3.5% Consolidated Tangible Assets, at any time outstanding;

(v) the incurrence by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (ii), (iii) or (v) of this Section 4.09(b);

(vi) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that:

(1) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

(2) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (vi);

(vii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Hedging Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing, hedging or swapping interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be outstanding or for hedging foreign currency exchange risk, in each case to the extent the Hedging Obligations are incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s financial management and not for any speculative purpose;

(viii) the Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09;

(ix) the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued;

 

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(x) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, including Indebtedness represented by letters of credit for the account of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance, proposal, completion, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided that the underlying obligation to perform is that of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries and not that of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided, further, that such underlying obligation is not in respect of borrowed money;

(xi) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xi), not to exceed $125.0 million;

(xii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, including but not limited to Indebtedness represented by letters of credit for the account of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Equity Interests of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Equity Interests for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(xiii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of incurrence;

(xiv) the issuance of preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company that is pledged to secure the Credit Agreement and/or the Notes, provided that any subsequent transfer that results in such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed to constitute an issuance of preferred stock not permitted by this clause (xiv);

(xv) the incurrence of Acquired Debt (but not any Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, the Company); provided, however, that on the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is acquired by the Company and after giving pro forma effect thereto, (x) the Company would have been entitled to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) or (y) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would be greater than such ratio for the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(xvi) Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Guarantees of Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, at any time outstanding; and

(xvii) Indebtedness consisting of obligations under any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness Call Transaction.

 

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(c) For purposes of determining compliance with any restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness where the Indebtedness incurred is not denominated in U.S. dollars, the amount of such Indebtedness will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined on the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness; provided, however, that if any such Indebtedness not denominated in U.S. dollars is subject to a Hedging Obligation with respect to U.S. dollars covering all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on such Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness expressed in U.S. dollars will be as provided in such Hedging Obligation. The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in the same currency as the Indebtedness being refinanced will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Indebtedness refinanced, except to the extent that (i) such U.S. Dollar Equivalent was determined based on a Hedging Obligation, in which case the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, and (ii) the principal amount of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, in which case the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such excess shall be determined on the date such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (i) through (xvii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company shall be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture shall be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided in Section 4.09(b)(i) hereof.

(e) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, incur any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of the fact that the holders of secured Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor arrangements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(i) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of (except in respect of Designated Assets sold pursuant to a Designated Asset Contract);

(ii) the fair market value or Designated Asset Value, as applicable, in the case of any Asset Sales or series of related Asset Sales having a fair market value of $50.0 million or more, is determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee; and

(iii) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this Section 4.10(a)(iii) only, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(1) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

 

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(2) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents within ninety (90) days after the applicable Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received in that conversion;

(3) notes or other obligations or Indebtedness actually received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary as consideration for the sale or other disposition of a Designated Asset pursuant to a contract with a governmental or quasi- governmental agency, but only to the extent that such notes or other obligations or Indebtedness were explicitly required to be included, or permitted to be included solely at the option of the purchaser, in such consideration pursuant to such contract;

(4) 100% of Indebtedness actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as consideration for the sale or other disposition of an Unoccupied Facility; and

(5) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in the Asset Sale, in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year of the Company (measured on the date such Designated Non-Cash Consideration was received without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received as consideration pursuant to this clause (5) during such fiscal year (but, to the extent that any such Designated Non-Cash Consideration is sold or otherwise liquidated for cash, minus the lesser of (x) the amount of the cash received (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (y) the initial amount of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration), not to exceed $150.0 million.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may engage in Asset Swaps; provided that:

(i) immediately after giving effect to such Asset Swap, the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a); and

(ii) the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the fair market value of the assets received by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary in the Asset Swap is not less than the fair market value of the assets disposed of by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Swap and such determination is evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

(c) Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary may apply those Net Proceeds, at its option:

(i) (a) to permanently reduce, prepay, repay, satisfy and discharge, or purchase, as applicable, Indebtedness under the Notes or any First Lien Secured Obligations (other than the Notes), including Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, and if applicable, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto; provided, however, that (x) to the extent that the terms of such First Lien Secured Obligations (other than the Notes) require Net Proceeds to repay Indebtedness outstanding under such First Lien Secured Obligations prior to the repayment of other First Lien Secured Obligations, the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary shall be entitled to repay such First Lien Secured Obligations prior to repaying Indebtedness under the Notes and (y) except as provided in the foregoing subclause (x), to the extent the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary so reduces any other First Lien Secured Obligations, the Company shall (i) equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes (A) as provided under Section 3.07 or (B) through open market purchases (provided that such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or (ii) make an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders of Notes to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the principal amount of such Notes that would otherwise be redeemed under clause (i); or (b) to the extent such Net Proceeds are from an Asset Sale that does not constitute Collateral, (x) to permanently repay any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on such asset or (y) to permanently reduce Indebtedness that is pari passu in right of payment with the Notes; provided; that the Company (i) equally and ratably reduce (or offer to reduce pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer) Obligations under the Notes (A) as provided under Section 3.07 or (B) through open market purchases (provided that such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or (ii) make an offer (in accordance with Section 4.10(c)) to all Holders of Notes to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the principal amount of such Notes that would otherwise be redeemed or purchased under subclause (i);

 

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(ii) to acquire, or enter into a definitive agreement to acquire, all or substantially all of the assets of, a Permitted Business or a majority of the Voting Stock of a Person engaged in a Permitted Business; provided that such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and provided, further, however, in the case of a definitive agreement, that such acquisition closes within 120 days of such 360-day period;

(iii) to make a capital expenditure in or that is used or useful in a Permitted Business (provided that the completion of (a) construction of new facilities, (b) expansions to existing facilities and (c) repair or construction of damaged or destroyed facilities, in each case, which commences within such 360 days may extend for an additional 360-day period if the Net Proceeds to be used for such construction, expansion or repair are committed specifically for such activity within such 360 days); or

(iv) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business,

provided, however, that with respect to any assets that are acquired with such Net Proceeds, the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, must promptly grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, a security interest (which shall have the same priority as the security interest that the Notes Secured Parties had in the assets disposed of which constituted Collateral) on any such assets on the terms set forth in this Indenture and the Security Documents, except to the extent such assets would constitute Excluded Property or are real property interests, including improvements, that are not Material Real Property.

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

(d) Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in clause (c) of this Section 4.10, or that the Company determines will not be applied or invested as provided in clause (c) of this Section 4.10, shall constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Company shall make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and, at the Company’s option, all holders of other secured Indebtedness that is pari passu in right of payment and lien priority with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase on a pro rata basis the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu secured Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of purchase, and shall be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu secured Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness shall be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(e) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

 

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Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or amend any contract, agreement, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(i) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B) except with respect to leases of facilities entered into in the ordinary course of business with a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.

(b) The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a):

(i) indemnity agreements and reasonable employment arrangements (including severance and retirement agreements) entered into by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in each case approved by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company;

(ii) transactions between or among the Company and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries ;

(iii) payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

(iv) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(v) Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments that are permitted by Section 4.07;

(vi) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans and other reasonable fees, compensation, benefits and indemnities paid or entered into by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to or with officers, directors or employees of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(vii) any pledge of any Government Operating Agreement to secure Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to the Facility that is the subject of such Government Operating Agreement.

 

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Section 4.12 Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) (each an “Initial Lien”) upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, except where: (i) in the case of any Initial Lien on any Collateral, such Initial Lien expressly has junior priority on the Collateral relative to the Notes and the Note Guarantees; and (ii) in the case of any Initial Lien on any asset or property that is not Collateral, the Notes (or a Note Guarantee in the case of Initial Liens on assets or property of a Guarantor) are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case such Initial Lien secures any subordinated Indebtedness) the obligations secured by such Initial Lien until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by such Initial Lien, at which time the Initial Lien securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged.

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties pursuant to the clauses (i) or (ii) of the preceding paragraph shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

Section 4.13 Business Activities.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control.

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to a minimum denomination of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), provided that any unpurchased portion of a Note must be in a minimum denomination of $2,000. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a payment (a “Change of Control Payment”) in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed or repurchased prior to such date). Within thirty (30) days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail or deliver a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes, on the date (the “Change of Control Payment Date”) specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than thirty (30) days and no later than sixty (60) days from the date such notice is delivered, pursuant to the procedures described in Section 3.09 hereof and described in such notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to such Change of Control Offer, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall be deemed not to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.14 by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful: (1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly deliver to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (to the extent received from the Company), and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.14, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.14 and all other provisions of this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (ii) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to this Indenture in accordance with Article Three, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

Section 4.15 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default or Event of Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated shall be deemed to be Investments made as of the time of the designation, subject to the limitations on Restricted Payments. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

Section 4.16 [Reserved].

Section 4.17 Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided, that, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

(i) the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof;

(ii) the gross cash proceeds of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction are at least equal to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the subject of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction; and

(iii) the transfer of assets in that Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.

Section 4.18 Additional Note Guarantees.

(a) The Notes shall initially be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Initial Guarantors and may be guaranteed by additional Subsidiaries of the Company pursuant to this Section 4.18.

(b) The Company shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee the payment of (a) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under any Credit Facility (other than any Credit Facility relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities) or (b) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million or more, unless, in each case, such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture providing for the Guarantee of the payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, which Note Guarantee shall be senior to or pari passu with such Subsidiary’s Guarantee of such other Indebtedness.

 

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Section 4.19 Changes in Covenants when Notes Rated Investment Grade.

(a) If on any date following the date of this Indenture:

(i) the Notes are rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s and BBB- or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency); and

(ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, a “Covenant Suspension Event”),

then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of Section 4.19(b), the following Sections shall be suspended:

(A) Section 4.07;

(B) Section 4.08;

(C) Section 4.09;

(D) Section 4.10;

(E) Section 4.11;

(F) Section 4.13;

(G) Section 4.15;

(H) Section 4.17(i)(a) and (iii); and

(I) Section 5.01(a)(iv).

(b) During any period that the foregoing Sections specified in Section 4.19(a) have been suspended (a “Suspension Period”), the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.15 unless such designation would have been permitted if a Suspension Period had not been in effect at such time.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.19(a) and (b) above, if the rating assigned by such rating agency should subsequently decline and the Notes are not rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s and BBB- or better by S&P (or if either such agency ceases to rate the Notes, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization), the foregoing Sections specified in Section 4.19(a) shall be reinstated as of and from the date of such rating decline. Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.07 shall be made as if Section 4.07 had been in effect since the date of this Indenture except that no default shall be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that Section 4.07 was suspended. Notwithstanding that the suspended Sections specified in Section 4.19(a) may be reinstated, no default shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with such suspended Sections during any Suspension Period.

 

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(d) The Company shall give prompt written notice of any Covenant Suspension Event and the termination of any Covenant Suspension Event to the Trustee. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if covenants are suspended or reinstated, monitor the ratings of the Notes or notify the Holders of any suspension or reinstatement of such covenants.

ARTICLE FIVE

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.

(a) The Company shall not, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or group of affiliated Persons, or permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or transactions if such transaction or transactions, in the aggregate, would result in an assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other Person or group of affiliated Persons, unless at the time and after giving effect thereto:

(i) either (A) the Company is the surviving Person; or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

(ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made (A) assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture, the Security Documents (as applicable) and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and (B) to the extent required by and subject to the limitations set forth in the Security Documents, agrees to cause such amendments, supplements or other instruments to be executed, filed and recorded in such jurisdictions as may be required by applicable law to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral owned by or transferred to such surviving Person, together with such financing statements or comparable documents to the extent required by and subject to the limitations set forth in the Security Documents, as may be required to perfect any security interests in such Collateral which may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement or a similar document under the UCC or other similar statute or regulation of the relevant states or jurisdictions;

(iii) no Default or Event of Default exists;

(iv) the Company or the other Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either (x) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (y) have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio that would be greater than such ratio for the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction; and

(v) the Company or the other Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall have delivered to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, lease, conveyance, transfer, or other disposition, and if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with the requirements of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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(b) Clause (iv) of Section 5.01(a) shall not apply to: (i) a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state of organization of the Company and that does not have as one of its purposes the evasion of such clause, (ii) a sale, transfer or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) any merger or consolidation of a Restricted Subsidiary into the Company.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company) and may exercise all rights and powers of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein.

ARTICLE SIX

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

(a) Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(i) default for thirty (30) days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;

(ii) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(iii) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with Sections 4.10, 4.14 or 5.01 hereof;

(iv) failure by the Company or any Guarantor for sixty (60) consecutive days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;

(v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date hereof, if that default:

(1) is caused by a failure to make any payment due at final maturity of such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or

(2) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more;

(vi) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay final judgments not covered by insurance aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of sixty (60) days;

(vii) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Note Guarantee;

 

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(viii) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case;

(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(3) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(4) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

(ix) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(1) is for relief against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

(2) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(3) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; and

(x) with respect to any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered by the Security Documents, (A) the failure of the security interest with respect to such Collateral under the applicable Security Documents, at any time, to be in full force and effect for any reason, other than in accordance with the terms of the applicable Security Documents and the terms of this Indenture and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, and other than due to the satisfaction in full of all obligations under this Indenture and discharge of this Indenture, if such failure continues for sixty (60) days or (B) the assertion by the Company or any Guarantor, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that the security interest with respect to such Collateral under the applicable Security Documents is invalid or unenforceable.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

(a) In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) or (ix) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes and all obligations owing hereunder and thereunder to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default.

(b) In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as a result of the acceleration of any Indebtedness described in clause (v) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if the holders of any Indebtedness described in clause (v) of Section 6.01(a) hereof have rescinded the declaration of acceleration in respect of the Indebtedness within 30 days of the date of the declaration and if:

(i) the annulment of the acceleration of Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

 

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(ii) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

(a) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

(b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase) (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). The Company shall send to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the requisite percentage of Holders have consented to such waiver and attaching copies of such consents. In case of any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the Notes, respectively. This Section 6.04 shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and the Notes, as permitted by the TIA. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to the Notes or exercising any trust or power conferred on it, and the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

(a) A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture, or the Notes only if:

(i) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(iii) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in connection with the request or direction;

 

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(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

(v) during such sixty (60)-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

(b) A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(i) or (a)(ii) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as Trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest, if any, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

(a) If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, and their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

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Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

(b) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE SEVEN

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable judgment that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

 

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(d) [Reserved].

(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 7.01.

(f) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, costs, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in connection with the request or direction.

(g) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(h) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest or investment income on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f) The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such event is sent to the Trustee in accordance with Section 13.02 hereof, and such notice references the Notes.

(h) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

(i) Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is a Holder shall be conclusive and binding upon future Holders and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

 

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(j) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding.

(k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder (including, without limitation, as Collateral Agent, Initial Additional Authorized Representative (as defined in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement) and Agent), and to each officer, director, employee, agent and custodian of the Trustee and any other Person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder.

(l) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(m) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(n) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(o) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder or thereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, as determined by a non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate.

(p) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any fact or matter unless such fact or matter is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.

(q) In no event shall the Trustee be liable for failure to perform its duties hereunder if such failure is a direct or proximate result of another party’s failure to perform its obligations hereunder.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may become a creditor of, or otherwise deal with, the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as described in the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict within ninety (90) days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Security Documents, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee for the Holders and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the Holders of Notes and the Company having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment.

 

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Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail or deliver to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days after it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within sixty (60) days after each May 1 beginning with the May 1 following the date hereof, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail or deliver to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its transmission to the Holders of Notes shall be transmitted to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder and under the Security Documents as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s and/or the Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s and the Collateral Agent’s respective agents and counsel.

(b) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee, any predecessor Trustee, the Collateral Agent and/or any predecessor Collateral Agent, as applicable, against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture or the Security Documents, including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or the Security Documents against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by either of the Company or any Guarantor or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder or thereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability, damage, claim or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable judgment. The Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall notify the Company and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent to so notify the Company and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Company or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall reasonably cooperate at the Company’s expense in the defense. The Trustee and the Collateral Agent may have separate counsel and the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent.

 

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(d) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall each have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Liens shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, any termination or rejection of this Indenture under any Bankruptcy Law and resignation or removal of the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent.

(e) When the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(viii) or (ix) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property;

(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting; or

(v) the Trustee adopts policies or makes any public statement that it no longer intends to support (or to reduce its support of) the businesses of its clients operating in the same or similar industries as the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Trustee.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail or deliver a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08 or Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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Section 7.09 Successor by Merger, Etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets to, another Person, the successor Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a minimum combined capital and surplus as required by TIA § 310(a)(2) as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein. The Trustee hereby waives any right to set-off any claim that it may have against the Company in any capacity (other than as Trustee and Paying Agent) against any of the assets of the Company held by the Trustee; provided, however, that if the Trustee is or becomes a lender of any other Indebtedness permitted hereunder to be pari passu with the Notes, then such waiver shall not apply to the extent of such Indebtedness.

Section 7.12 Application for Instructions from the Company.

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five (5) Business Days after the date any Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

ARTICLE EIGHT

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may, at the option of the Board of Directors of the Company evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged with respect to their obligations under the Note Guarantees and have Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes released on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”).

 

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For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, respectively, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on reasonable demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article Two hereof concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes and mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the Company’s obligations under Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article Eight. Subject to compliance with this Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.17, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof and clause (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes and have Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes released on (including the obligation to make Change of Control Offers) and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof (except with respect to Sections 6.01(a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(viii) and (a)(ix)), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(a)(iii) through (vii) shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

(a) The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

(i) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date and, if the Notes are being defeased to a particular redemption date, the Company must have delivered to the Trustee an irrevocable notice of redemption;

(ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(iv) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing either (a) on the date of such deposit or (b) insofar as Sections 6.01(a)(viii) and (a)(ix) are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of deposit;

(v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(vi) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;

(vii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940 and after the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law; and

(viii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

(c) Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the written request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 8.06 Repayment to the Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE NINE

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, may amend or supplement, subject to the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement where applicable, this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, in each case:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(iii) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s assets;

(iv) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(v) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(vi) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement to any provision of the description of such Notes in any offering memorandum with respect thereto, to the extent that such provision in such description was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement as evidenced in an Officers’ Certificate; (x) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate trustee or collateral agent or authorized representative with respect to the Notes (including pursuant to Section 7.08(b) of this Indenture) and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of this Indenture by more than one trustee and/or collateral agent;

 

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(vii) to provide for the issuance of additional Notes in accordance with the limitations described in this Indenture;

(viii) to allow a Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture for the purpose of providing a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ix) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such actions shall not adversely affect the interests of Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

(xi) to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, grant or perfect any other Lien in favor of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the Obligations in respect to the Notes, in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted or perfected to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties pursuant to this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or otherwise;

(xii) to comply with the rules and procedures of DTC; or

(xiii) to add secured parties under the First Lien Secured Obligations to any Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, to the extent permitted to be so secured by this Indenture.

(b) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

(a) Except as provided in Section 9.01, this Section 9.02(a) and Section 9.02(e) hereof, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, subject to the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement where applicable, with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents or, to the extent affecting the Holders, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, subject to the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement where applicable, may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of the Holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, no amendment or waiver may (A) make any change in any Security Document or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with Collateral or application of trust proceeds of the Collateral with the effect of releasing the Liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral which secure the Obligations in respect of the Notes or (B) change or alter the priority of the Liens securing the Obligations in respect of the Notes with respect to all or substantially all of the Collateral in any way materially adverse, taken as a whole, to the Holders, other than, in each case, as provided under the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is ninety (90) days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

(c) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

(d) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

(e) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail or deliver to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail or deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(i) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(ii) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note or change the optional redemption dates or optional redemption prices from those provided in Section 3.07 hereof (except amendments or changes to any notice provisions, which may be amended with the consent of Holders of a majority of the Notes);

(iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(v) make any Note payable in currency other than that stated in the Notes;

 

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(vi) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, the Notes;

(vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note;

(viii) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(ix) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees;

(x) amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make and consummate an Asset Sale Offer with respect to any Asset Sale in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof after the obligation to make an Asset Sale Offer has arisen or the obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with Section 4.14 hereof after a Change of Control has occurred, including, in each case, amending, changing or modifying any definition relating thereto; or

(xi) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

(a) The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

(b) Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

The Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture or Note authorized pursuant to this Article Nine if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture (other than a supplemental indenture adding an additional Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.18 hereof) or Note, the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to and receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and that all conditions precedent to such execution have been met.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) On the Issue Date, all of the Initial Guarantors shall Guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture as provided in this Article Ten. On the Issue Date, all of the Restricted Subsidiaries that Guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are the Initial Guarantors hereunder. Subject to this Article Ten, each of the Guarantors, including the Initial Guarantors and any other Restricted Subsidiary that may become a Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and their respective successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace period provided herein), and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee and the Collateral Agent hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture or except as provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee or the Collateral Agent is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in, but subject to the provisions of, Article Six hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

 

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Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to such Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, and the Collateral Agent, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article Ten, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of a Supplemental Indenture Relating to a Note Guarantee.

(a) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

(b) If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on a supplemental indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

(c) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

(d) If required by Section 4.18 hereof, the Company shall cause such Subsidiaries to execute supplemental indentures to this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.18 hereof and this Article Ten, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms.

(a) A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into, another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(i) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(ii) either:

(B) such sale or other disposition complies with Section 4.10 hereof, including the application of the Net Proceeds therefrom.

(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance governed by Section 10.04(a)(ii)(A), upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by a Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for a Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.

 

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Section 10.05 Release of a Guarantor.

(A) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (i) assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture, its Note Guarantee, the Security Documents (as applicable) and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee and (ii) to the extent required by and subject to the limitations set forth in the Security Documents, agrees to cause such amendments, supplements or other instruments to be executed, filed and recorded in such jurisdictions as may be required by applicable law to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral owned by or transferred to such surviving Person, together with such financing statements or comparable documents to the extent required by and subject to the limitations set forth in the Security Documents, as may be required to perfect any security interests in such Collateral which may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement or a similar document under the UCC or other similar statute or regulation of the relevant states or jurisdictions; or (a) Any Guarantor shall be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee hereunder, (i) in connection with any sale of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale complies with Section 4.10 hereof; (ii) if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; (iii) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Notes as permitted under this Indenture; (iv) upon the release or termination (other than a termination or release resulting from the payment thereon) of such Guarantor’s Guarantee of (a) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under any Credit Facility (other than any Credit Facility relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities) and (b) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million or more; or (v) upon the applicable Guarantor ceasing to be a Subsidiary of the Company as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing the Notes or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof in accordance with the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, in which case such Guarantor or the entity acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of the Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee, except in the event of a sale or other disposition to the Company or any other Guarantor.

(b) Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that one of the foregoing requirements has been satisfied and the conditions to the release of a Guarantor under this Section 10.05 have been met, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

(c) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article Ten.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

(a) This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder when:

(i) either:

(1) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the delivering of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year, and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, and accrued interest on, the Notes to (but not including) the date of maturity or redemption;

 

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(ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(iii) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it hereunder; and

(iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee hereunder to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

(b) In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Section 11.02 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 11.03 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 11.03 Repayment to the Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times or The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

ARTICLE TWELVE

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

Section 12.01 Security.

(a) The due and punctual payment of the Obligations, including payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on the Notes, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder, are secured as provided in the Security Documents, which the Company and Guarantors have entered into simultaneously with the execution of this Indenture, or, in certain circumstances, subsequent to the date hereof, and will be secured by any Security Documents hereafter delivered as required by this Indenture.

(b) Each Holder, by accepting a Note, acknowledges and agrees to all of the terms and provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents (including, without limitation, the provisions providing for foreclosure and release of Collateral), as the same may be amended from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

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Section 12.02 First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Trustee and each Holder, by its acceptance of the Notes, hereby acknowledges that the Liens and security interests securing the Obligations on the Notes, the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Agent and the Initial Additional Authorized Representative under the Security Documents or with respect thereto, and certain rights of the parties thereto are subject to the provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Indenture or any Security Document, the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

Section 12.03 Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative.

(a) The Trustee and each Holder, by its acceptance of the Notes, hereby acknowledge and agree that pursuant to this Indenture, the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall hold (directly or through co-collateral agents) in trust for the benefit of itself, the Holders and the Trustee, a security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the applicable Security Documents.

(b) Each Holder, by its acceptance of the Notes (i) appoints Ankura Trust Company, LLC to act on its behalf as collateral agent under the applicable Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent, to execute each document to be executed by the Collateral Agent on the Holder’s behalf, including the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (and any joinder thereto) and the Security Documents, (iii) authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, including for the purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by the Company and Guarantors thereunder to secure the Secured Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto and (iv) authorizes the Collateral Agent to release or subordinate any Lien granted to or held by the Collateral Agent upon any Collateral as provided in this Indenture, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents. In the case of any Security Documents (or any amendment or supplement thereof) to be entered into after the Issue Date, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall execute and enter into such document in accordance with, and upon receipt of a Security Document Order, as set forth in Section 12.03(f) hereof, in addition to any other requirements herein and therein. It is hereby expressly acknowledged and agreed that, in doing so, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent are not responsible for the terms or contents of such agreements, or for the validity or enforceability thereof, or the sufficiency thereof for any purpose. Whether or not so expressly stated therein, in entering into, or taking (or forbearing from) any action under, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any other Security Documents, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent each shall have all of the rights, privileges, benefits, immunities, indemnities and other protections granted to it under this Indenture (in addition to those that may be granted to it under the terms of such other agreement or agreements).

(c) The Company hereby appoints (i) Ankura Trust Company, LLC (and any co-agents, sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Collateral Agent) to serve as collateral agent on behalf of the Holders and the Trustee under the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (and any joinder thereto) and the Security Documents as provided therein, with the privileges, powers and immunities as set forth therein and in the Security Documents and (ii) Ankura Trust Company, LLC (and any co-agents, sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Initial Additional Authorized Representative to serve as Initial Additional Authorized Representative on behalf of the Holders and the Trustee under the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents as provided therein, with the privileges, powers and immunities as set forth herein, therein and in the Security Documents, and (iii) authorizes and directs the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, to execute each document to be executed by the Initial Additional Authorized Representative including the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (and any joinder thereto). If either the Collateral Agent or the Initial Additional Authorized Representative adopts policies or makes any public statement that it no longer intends to support (or to reduce its support of) the businesses of its clients operating in the same or similar industries as the Company, the Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to such Person remove any Person serving as Collateral Agent or Initial Additional Authorized Representative, in which case, the Company, without the consent of the Holders, may appoint a successor. In addition, if the Trustee is removed by the Company pursuant to Section 7.08(b), the Company, without the consent of the Holders, may appoint a successor Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative, as applicable.

 

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(d) None of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective Affiliates may serve as Collateral Agent.

(e) [Reserved].

(f) Upon the receipt by the Collateral Agent of a written request of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company (a “Security Document Order”), in connection with actions permitted under this Indenture and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to execute and enter into, and shall execute and enter into (without any obligation to review or negotiate the terms of such document), without the further consent of any Holder or the Trustee, any Security Document or amendment or supplement thereto to be executed after the Issue Date; provided that (1) such Security Document, amendment, or supplement is authorized and permitted under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and (2) the Collateral Agent shall not be required to execute or enter into any such Security Document which, in the Collateral Agent’s reasonable opinion is reasonably likely to adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Collateral Agent or that the Collateral Agent determines is reasonably likely to involve the Collateral Agent in personal liability. Such Security Document Order (which may be included in the Officers’ Certificate referred to below) shall (A) state that it is being delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to, and is a Security Document Order referred to in, this Section 12.03(f), (B) certify that the action and execution of documents being requested in such Security Document Order is authorized and permitted under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and (C) instruct the Collateral Agent to execute and enter into such Security Document. Other than as set forth in this Indenture, any such execution of a Security Document shall be at the direction and expense of the Company, upon delivery to the Collateral Agent of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that such Security Document, amendment, or supplement is authorized and permitted under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and that all conditions precedent to the execution and delivery of the Security Document have been satisfied. The Holders, by their acceptance of the Notes, hereby authorize and direct the Collateral Agent to execute such Security Documents (subject to the first sentence of this Section 12.03(f)).

Section 12.04 Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably.

Subject to the applicable provisions in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the payment and satisfaction of all of the Obligations of the Company and the Guarantors in respect of the Notes shall be secured equally and ratably by the Liens on the Company’s and the Guarantors’ right, title and interest in the Collateral established in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties pursuant to this Indenture, the Security Documents, and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and all such Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Agent for its benefit, the benefit of the Trustee and for the benefit, on an equal and ratable basis, with the other Notes Secured Parties.

Section 12.05 Release of Liens on Collateral.

(a) The Collateral securing the Obligations of the Company and the Guarantors in respect of the Notes will automatically and without the need for any further action by any Person be released in any of the following circumstances:

(i) in part as to any portion of property subject to such Liens which has been taken by eminent domain, condemnation or other similar circumstances or that is or becomes Excluded Property;

(ii) in whole upon:

(A) satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article Eleven hereof; or (B) a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of this Indenture pursuant to Article Eight hereof;

 

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(iii) in part, as to any property that (a) is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Company or any Guarantor (other than to the Company or another Guarantor) in a transaction not prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents at the time of such sale, transfer or disposition or in connection with any exercise of remedies pursuant to this Indenture, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or (b) is owned or at any time acquired by a Guarantor that has been released from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, concurrently with the release of such Guarantee (including in connection with the designation of a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary);

(iv) as provided under Article Nine hereunder;

(v) as to any asset constituting Collateral if all other Liens on that asset securing the First Lien Secured Obligations then secured by that asset (including commitments thereunder) are released or will be released simultaneously therewith, other than by reason of the discharge in full of any such First Lien Secured Obligations, which discharge is not in connection with a foreclosure of, or other exercise of remedies with respect to, Collateral by the Applicable Collateral Agent, to the extent set forth in the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; and

(vi) in whole or in part, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

(b) A Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents and the Collateral Agent’s Liens upon the Collateral of such Guarantor and the Capital Stock or other Equity Interests of such Guarantor shall be automatically released if such Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 12.06 Further Assurances.

Subject to the terms of this Indenture (including Section 12.03(f) hereof) and the Security Documents, the Company and each of the Guarantors will do or cause to be done all acts and things that may be required, or that the Collateral Agent from time to time may reasonably request, to assure and confirm that the Collateral Agent holds, for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, duly created and enforceable and perfected Liens (subject to Permitted Liens and the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement) upon the Company’s and each Guarantor’s right, title and interest in the Collateral (including any property or assets of the Company or Guarantors that are acquired or otherwise become Collateral after the Notes are issued), in each case, as contemplated by and in accordance with the Lien priority required under, this Indenture, the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

Section 12.07 Certain Real Estate and Other Deliverables.

(a) The Company will and will cause each applicable Guarantor to, no later than 180 days (or a later date approved by the Collateral Agent (provided such later date shall be deemed approved if the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is also extending such time period under the Credit Agreement)) after the Issue Date, deliver to the Collateral Agent:

(i) Opinion(s) of Local Counsel. Opinions of local counsel in the respective jurisdictions in which the properties covered by the Mortgages are located, regarding the enforceability of such Mortgages, and to the extent not covered in such local counsel opinions, opinions of the Company’s or Guarantor’s counsel regarding the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Mortgages, in each case reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Collateral Agent (provided that such opinions shall be deemed satisfactory if such opinions are substantially similar to the comparable opinions provided under the Credit Agreement and otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, subject to factual changes necessary to reflect the Notes) (and the Company for itself and on behalf of each Guarantor hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion(s) to the Collateral Agent).

 

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(ii) Mortgages and Title Insurance. The following documents, each of which shall be executed in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such documents shall be deemed satisfactory if such documents are substantially similar to the comparable document provided under the Credit Agreement which are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, subject to factual changes necessary to reflect the Notes); provided that the Company shall not be required to deliver the following documents for any property that is a Material Real Property if doing so would result in costs (administrative or otherwise) that, in the determination of the Collateral Agent in its sole and absolute discretion, would be materially disproportionate to the benefit obtained thereby (provided that such costs shall be deemed materially disproportionate if such costs are deemed materially disproportionate by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and not required to be delivered under the Credit Agreement):

(A) For all Material Real Property, Mortgages in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such Mortgages shall be deemed satisfactory if such Mortgages are substantially similar to the comparable Mortgage provided under the Credit Agreement which are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, subject to factual changes necessary to reflect the Notes), duly executed (and, where appropriate in the applicable jurisdiction, acknowledged) and delivered by the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, in recordable form (in such number of copies as the Collateral Agent shall have requested) and, to the extent necessary with respect to any leasehold property to be subject to a Mortgage, use commercially reasonable efforts by the Company to obtain consents of the respective landlords with respect to such property (provided that such consents shall be deemed satisfactory if deemed satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement) and, to the extent necessary under applicable law, for filing in the appropriate county land office(s), UCC financing statements covering fixtures, in each case appropriately completed (the “Fixture Filings”);

(B) One or more ALTA mortgagee policies of title insurance on forms of and issued by one or more title companies satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (the “Title Companies”) (provided that such Title Companies shall be deemed satisfactory if such Title Companies are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement), insuring the validity and first lien priority of the Liens created under such Mortgages (as they may be amended) for and in amounts satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such amounts shall be deemed satisfactory if such amounts are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement), subject only to such exceptions as are satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such exceptions shall be deemed satisfactory if such exceptions are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement) and to the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; each such title policy shall contain: (A) full coverage against mechanics’ liens (filed and inchoate) or such surety bonds or other additional collateral as may be satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion in lieu of such coverage (provided that such other surety bonds or other additional collateral shall be deemed satisfactory if such other surety bonds or other additional collateral are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement), (B) a reference to the relevant survey with no survey exceptions except those theretofore approved by the Collateral Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed (provided that any survey exceptions shall be deemed approved if such survey exceptions are otherwise approved by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement)) and (C) such affirmative insurance and endorsements as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require (provided that Company shall not be required to provide any affirmative insurance and endorsements not otherwise required by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement subject to changes or additions necessary to reflect, and/or provide substantially similar coverages relative to, the Notes); (C) ALTA, or if not customary in such jurisdiction, as-built surveys of recent date of each of the Facilities to be covered by the Mortgages, showing such matters as may be required by the Collateral Agent (provided that such matters as required by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement shall be deemed the only requirements of the Collateral Agent), which surveys shall be in form and content acceptable to the Collateral Agent (provided that such surveys shall be deemed acceptable if such surveys are otherwise acceptable to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement) and certified to the Collateral Agent and to the Title Companies, and shall have been prepared by a registered surveyor acceptable to the Collateral Agent (provided that such surveyor shall be deemed acceptable if such surveyor is otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement) or, with respect to existing surveys, an affidavit of an authorized signatory of the owner of such property stating that there have been no improvements or encroachments to the property since the date of the respective survey such that the existing survey is no longer accurate, in form acceptable to the Collateral Agent (provided that such affidavit shall be deemed acceptable if such affidavit is otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement) and the applicable Title Company in order to remove the standard survey exception;

 

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(D) such affidavits, certificates, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as shall be required to induce the Title Companies to issue the title policies and endorsements contemplated above; and

(E) such other certificates, documents and information as are reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, including, without limitation, engineering and structural reports, permanent certificates of occupancy and evidence of zoning compliance, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such other certificates, documents and information (including the form of any landlord agreements and consents) shall be deemed satisfactory if such other certificates, documents and information (including any landlord agreements and consents) are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement).

(iii) In addition, the Company shall have paid to the Title Companies (i) all expenses and premiums of the Title Companies in connection with the issuance of such policies and (ii) an amount equal to the recording, mortgage, intangibles, transfer and stamp taxes payable in connection with recording the Mortgages, any amendments to the Mortgages and the Fixture Filings in the appropriate county land office(s).

(b) If the Company or any Guarantor shall acquire any Material Real Property (or shall make improvements upon any existing real property interest resulting in such interest together with such improvements constituting Material Real Property), or if any existing real property interest shall constitute a Material Real Property, including, without limitation, as a result of the limitation set forth in clause (b) of the definition of “Material Real Property”, and, in each case, so long as the Credit Agreement is outstanding, only if the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent elects to encumber such property, then:

 

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(i) the Company will, and will cause each applicable Guarantor to, (x) no later than ten (10) Business Days prior to execution of a Mortgage encumbering any such Material Real Property not located in a Flood Zone, deliver a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination from a third-party vendor with respect to such real property, (y) no later than 30 days prior to execution of a Mortgage encumbering any such Material Real Property any portion of which is located in a Flood Zone, (i) furnish to the Collateral Agent a written notice of the Company or such Guarantor’s intent to encumber such Material Real Property and that all or a portion of such Material Real Property is located in a Flood Zone and whether or not flood insurance coverage is available, (ii) a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination from a third-party vendor, and (iii) if required by the Flood Act, evidence of the required flood insurance as further described in clause (F) below, and (z) no later than 180 days (or a later date approved by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, if (to the extent the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is also extending such time period under the Credit Agreement) also approved by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement)) after such acquisition or designation, deliver to the Collateral Agent (each of which shall be executed in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such documents shall be deemed satisfactory if such documents are substantially similar to the comparable document provided under the Credit Agreement which are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, subject to factual changes necessary to reflect the Notes):

(A) Mortgages in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such Mortgages shall be deemed satisfactory if such Mortgages are substantially similar to the comparable Mortgage provided under the Credit Agreement which are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, subject to factual changes necessary to reflect the Notes), duly executed (and, where appropriate in the applicable jurisdiction, acknowledged), and delivered by the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, in recordable form (in such number of copies as the Collateral Agent shall have requested) and, to the extent necessary with respect to any leasehold property to be subject to a Mortgage, use commercially reasonable efforts by the Company to obtain consents of the respective landlords with respect to such property (provided that such covenant shall be deemed satisfactory if deemed satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement) and, to the extent necessary under applicable law, for filing in the appropriate county land office(s), Fixture Filings;

(B) one or more ALTA mortgagee policies of title insurance on forms of and issued by the Title Companies, insuring the validity and priority of the Liens (in accordance of the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement) created under the Mortgages for and in amounts satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such amounts shall be deemed satisfactory if such amounts are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent for the comparable Mortgages provided under the Credit Agreement), subject only to such exceptions as are satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such exceptions shall be deemed satisfactory if such exceptions are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement); each such title policy shall contain: (A) full coverage against mechanics’ liens (filed and inchoate) or such surety bonds or other additional collateral as may be satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion in lieu of such coverage (provided that such other surety bonds or other additional collateral shall be deemed satisfactory if such other surety bonds or other additional collateral are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement), (B) a reference to the relevant survey with no survey exceptions except those theretofore approved by the Collateral Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed (provided that any survey exceptions shall be deemed approved if such survey exceptions are otherwise approved by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement)) and (C) such affirmative insurance and endorsements as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require (provided that Company shall not be required to provide any affirmative insurance and endorsements not otherwise required by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement subject to changes or additions necessary to reflect, and/or provide substantially similar coverages relative to, the Notes); (C) ALTA, or if not customary in such jurisdiction, as-built surveys of recent date of each of the Facilities to be covered by the Mortgages, showing such matters as may be required by the Collateral Agent (provided that such matters as required by the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement shall be deemed the only requirements of the Collateral Agent), which surveys shall be in form and content acceptable to the Collateral Agent (provided that such surveys shall be deemed acceptable if such surveys are otherwise acceptable to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement), and certified to the Collateral Agent and the Title Companies, and shall have been prepared by a registered surveyor acceptable to the Collateral Agent (provided that such surveyor shall be deemed acceptable if such surveyor is otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement);

 

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(D) certified copies of permanent and unconditional certificates of occupancy (or, if it is not the practice to issue certificates of occupancy in a jurisdiction in which the Facilities to be covered by the Mortgages are located, then such other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (provided that such other evidence shall be deemed satisfactory if such other evidence is otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement)) permitting the fully functioning operation and occupancy of each such Facility and of such other permits necessary for the use and operation of each such Facility issued by the respective Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction over each such Facility;

(E) opinions of local counsel in the respective jurisdictions in which the properties covered by the Mortgages are located, regarding the enforceability of such Mortgages, and to the extent not covered in such local counsel opinions, opinions of the Company’s or Guarantor’s counsel regarding the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Mortgages, in each case reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Collateral Agent (and the Company for itself and on behalf of each Guarantor hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion(s) to the Collateral Agent) (provided that such opinions shall be deemed satisfactory if such opinions are otherwise satisfactory to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement, subject to factual changes necessary to reflect the Notes);

(F) if delivered to the Credit Facility Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement, each of (x) a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each property covered by a Mortgage and (y) if applicable, customary evidence of any insurance for such Material Real Property required under Section 5.05 of the Credit Agreement;

(G) such affidavits, certificates, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as shall be required by the Title Companies to induce the Title Companies to issue the title policies and endorsements contemplated above; and

(ii) the Company shall have paid or caused to be paid to the Title Companies (i) all expenses and premiums of the Title Companies in connection with the issuance of such policies and (ii) an amount equal to the recording, mortgage, intangibles, transfer and stamp taxes payable in connection with recording the Mortgages and the Fixture Filings in the appropriate county land office(s).

Section 12.08 After-Acquired Property.

 

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If, at any time, a Restricted Subsidiary is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.18 hereof, such Restricted Subsidiary shall, at such time, promptly execute a joinder to the Security Documents (or deliver Mortgages and the other required real estate deliverables in respect of any applicable Material Real Property, pursuant to Section 12.07(b)) and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, providing that such Restricted Subsidiary become a grantor thereunder, to grant Liens on assets and pledge equity interests, in each case, that constitute Collateral to the Collateral Agent, in each case for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties (subject to the limitations set forth in this Indenture and other limitations set forth in the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement), and if any such Guarantor acquires an asset that constitutes Collateral, such Guarantor shall grant a Lien on such Collateral to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties and perfect such Lien, subject in each case to the terms of the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 13.02 Notices.

(a) Any notice or communication by the Company or any Guarantor, on the one hand, or the Trustee or the Collateral Agent on the other hand, to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), electronic mail (in “.pdf” format) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company:

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Email: smarch@geogroup.com

With a copy to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Miami, Florida 33131

Suite 1100

 

  Attention:

William Arnhols, Esq.

 

Esther L. Moreno, Esq.

  Emails:

 william.arnhols@akerman.com; esther.moreno@akerman.com

If to the Trustee:

Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee

140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor

Fairfield, CT 06824

Attention: Krista Gulalo, Beth Micena

Emails: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com; Beth.Micena@ankura.com

If to the Collateral Agent:

Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Collateral Agent (b) The Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor

Fairfield, CT 06824

Attention: Krista Gulalo, Beth Micena

Email: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com, Beth.micena@ankura.com

 

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(c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if emailed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

(d) Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

(e) If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notices to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to be effective only when actually received by the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, Corporate Trust Department.

(f) If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and each Agent at the same time.

Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to its rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable:

(i) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(ii) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely upon the Officers’ Certificate as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

(i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

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(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Managers, Employees, Incorporators, Stockholders, Members and Partners.

No director, officer, manager, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 13.08 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 13.09 Consent to Jurisdiction.

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts sitting in the Southern District of New York in the State of New York, or if such federal courts do not have jurisdiction, then to the Commercial Division of the state courts residing in the County of New York in the State of New York, and appellate courts of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s (other than the Trustee and the Collateral Agent) address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 13.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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Section 13.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.13 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 13.14 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by the Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company if made in the manner provided in this Section 13.14.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such witness, notary or officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.14, the principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Holder, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar as provided in Section 2.04 hereof.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of the Notes any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA § 316(c), such record date shall not be earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith or the date of the most recent list of Holders forwarded to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.06 hereof and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the then outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the then outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than ninety (90) days after the record date.

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

 

96


(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so itself with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

Section 13.15 Benefit of Indenture.

Nothing, in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Registrar and its successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 13.16 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.17 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTORS, THE TRUSTEE AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR. RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR. THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 13.18 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee or the Collateral Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes, epidemics or pandemics or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 13.19 U.S.A. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee or the Collateral Agent. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee and the Collateral Agent with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

97


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the date set forth above.

 

ISSUER:
THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Acting Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
GUARANTORS:
GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
ADAPPT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
ARAPAHOE COUNTY RESIDENTIAL CENTER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BEHAVIORAL ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BEHAVIORAL HOLDING CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
B.I. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

98


BI MOBILE BREATH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING I CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BROAD REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CCC WYOMING PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CCMAS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CEC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CEC PARENT HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

99


CEC STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS-TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CLEARSTREAM DEVELOPMENT LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES
By:   Community Education Centers, Inc., its Manager
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

100


COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTERS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL COMPANIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF RHODE ISLAND, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES PRISON FINANCE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

101


CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CPT LIMITED PARTNER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CPT OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
FENTON SECURITY, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO ACQUISITION II, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CARE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CPM, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CC3 INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

102


GEO HOLDINGS I, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO MCF LP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO OPERATIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO RE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
GEO REENTRY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

103


GEO REENTRY OF ALASKA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO REENTRY SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO SECURE SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO TRANSPORT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
GEO/DEL/R/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO/DEL/T/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
HIGHPOINT INVESTMENTS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
MCF GP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

104


MINSEC COMPANIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
MINSEC TREATMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
MUNICIPAL CORRECTIONS FINANCE L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
PROTOCOL CRIMINAL JUSTICE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
PUBLIC PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT AND LEASING LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
SECON, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
WBP LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

105


TRUSTEE AND COLLATERAL AGENT:
ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC
By:  

/s/ Krista Gulalo

Name: Krista Gulalo
Title: Managing Director

 

106


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Initial Note]

[Global Note Legend]

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.13 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT AND ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

[Private Placement Legend]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE GEO GROUP, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) PURSUANT TO (2)(C), (D) OR (E), THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE GEO GROUP, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

A-1


[Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend]

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).

 

A-2


CUSIP [•]    $[•]
No. [•]   

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029

New York, New York

Issue Date: [•]

The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida Corporation (the “Company”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [Amount of Note] on April 15, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2024.

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

(Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

This is one of the 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:
The Huntington National Bank, as Authenticating Agent

 

By:  

Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


[Reverse Side of Note]

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.

Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.625% per annum from the date hereof until maturity; provided that, if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest (the “Additional Interest”) of $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the Restricted Notes will accrue on the Restricted Notes for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a Registration Default (increasing by an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the Restricted Notes with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.00% per annum). The Company shall pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2024. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

2.

Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.14 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and interest and Additional Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3.

Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Ankura Trust Company, LLC, the Trustee under the Indenture or its agent, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

4.

Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 18, 2024 (“Indenture”) among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

A-5


5.

Optional Redemption. On or after April 15, 2026, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) upon not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date) if redeemed during the twelve (12)-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2026

     104.313

2027

     102.156

2028 and thereafter

     100.000

In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 108.625%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date), with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that: (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within ninety (90) days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering.

Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

Prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date). Notice of such redemption shall be sent to DTC in the case of Global Notes, or mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address in the case of certificated notes (and, to the extent permitted by applicable procedures and regulations, electronically), not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date.

During any twelve-month period prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

6.

Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.

Repurchase at Option of Holder. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

 

A-6


8.

Selection and Notice of Redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption or purchase as follows: if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed as certified to the Trustee by the Company, and in compliance with the requirements of DTC or, if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts tendered), by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures subject to adjustments so that no Note in any unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail or electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60) days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than sixty (60) days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture As long as the Notes are issued in global form, notices to be given to Holders will be given to DTC, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Any notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued (or cause to be transferred by book entry) in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Subject to Section 3.05 of the Indenture, on and after the redemption date, interest and Additional Interest, if any, ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

9.

Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of fifteen (15) days before the mailing or delivery of a notice of redemption of Notes.

 

10.

Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

11.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture, subject to the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement where applicable.

 

12.

Defaults and Remedies. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, or the principal of, the Notes.

 

A-7


13.

Trustee Dealings with Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

14.

No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, manager, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

15.

Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

16.

CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

17.

Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 18, 2024, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the representative of the Initial Purchasers of the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date. Each Holder, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Company and other named persons to the extent provided therein.

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture, the Security Agreements and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Facsimile: (561) 999-7663

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Suite 1100

Miami, Florida 33131

Facsimile: (305) 374-5095

Attention: William Arnhols, Esq.

Esther L. Moreno, Esq.

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(1) or (we) assign and

transfer this Note to:   

 

(Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:

 

Your Signature:  
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:    

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is set forth on the face hereof. The following exchanges of interests in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of

Decrease in

Principal Amount at

Maturity of this

Global Note

  

Amount of Increase

in Principal Amount

at Maturity of this

Global Note

  

Principal Amount at

Maturity of this

Global Note

Following such

decrease (or

increase)

  

Signature of

Authorized

Signatory of Trustee

or Custodian

 

A-10


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee

140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor

Fairfield, CT 06824

Attention: Krista Gulalo, Beth Micena

Email: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com, Beth.micena@ankura.com

Re: 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “Indenture”), among The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), the Initial Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

__________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount at maturity of $_____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

☐ 1. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

☐ 2. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-1


☐ 3. Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

  ☐ (a)

such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

 

  ☐ (b)

such Transfer is being effected to the Company;

or

 

  ☐ (c)

such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

☐ 4. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

 

  ☐ (a)

Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

  ☐ (b)

Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

  ☐ (c)

Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-2


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.

The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (A) OR (B)]

 

  ☐ (A)

A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE:

☐ (i) 144A Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

☐ (ii) Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

 

  ☐ (B)

A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

[CHECK ONE]

 

2.

After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

  ☐ (A)

A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE:

☐(i) 144A Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

☐ (ii) Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

☐ (iii) Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

 

  ☐ (B)

A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE; OR

 

  ☐ (C)

AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee

140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor

Fairfield, CT 06824

Attention: Krista Gulalo, Beth Micena

Email: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com, Beth.micena@ankura.com

Re: 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “Indenture”), among The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), the Initial Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee and Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

_______________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount at maturity of $in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

☐ (a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

☐ (b) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

☐ (c) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


☐ (d) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

☐ (a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

☐ (b) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note / ☐ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

C-2


EXHIBIT D

[Face of Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note] */**/

 

*/

If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend from Exhibit A and the attachment from Exhibit A captioned “SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE”.

**/

If the Note is a Private Exchange Note issued in a Private Exchange to an Initial Purchaser holding an unsold portion of its initial allotment, add the Private Placement Legend from Exhibit A.

 

D-1


CUSIP [•]    $[•]
No. [•]   

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029

New York, New York

Issue Date: [•]

The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida Corporation (the “Company”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [Amount of Note] on April 15, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2024.

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

(Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

This is one of the 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:
The Huntington National Bank, as Authenticating Agent

 

By: Authorized Signatory

 

D-3


[Reverse Side of Note]

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.

Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.625% per annum from the date hereof until maturity. The Company shall pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2024. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

2.

Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.14 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3.

Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Ankura Trust Company, LLC, the Trustee under the Indenture or its agent, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

4.

Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 18, 2024 (“Indenture”) among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

5.

Optional Redemption. On or after April 15, 2026, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) upon not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date) if redeemed during the twelve (12)-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

D-4


Year

   Percentage  

2026

     104.313

2027

     102.156

2028 and thereafter

     100.000

In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 108.625%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date), with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that: (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within ninety (90) days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering.

Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

Prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date). Notice of such redemption shall be sent to DTC in the case of Global Notes, or mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address in the case of certificated notes (and, to the extent permitted by applicable procedures and regulations, electronically), not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date.

During any twelve-month period prior to April 15, 2026, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 103.000%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

6.

Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.

Repurchase at Option of Holder. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

 

8.

Selection and Notice of Redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption or purchase as follows: if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed as certified to the Trustee by the Company, and in compliance with the requirements of DTC or, if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts tendered), by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures subject to adjustments so that no Note in any unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail or electronically or

 

D-5


  otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60) days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than sixty (60) days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture As long as the Notes are issued in global form, notices to be given to Holders will be given to DTC, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Any notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued (or cause to be transferred by book entry) in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Subject to Section 3.05 of the Indenture, on and after the redemption date and interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

9.

Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of fifteen (15) days before the mailing or delivery of a notice of redemption of Notes.

 

10.

Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

11.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture, subject to the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement where applicable.

 

12.

Defaults and Remedies. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.

 

13.

Trustee Dealings with Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

14.

No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, manager, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

D-6


15.

Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

16.

CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Security Agreements. Requests may be made to:

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Facsimile: (561) 999-7663

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Suite 1100

Miami, Florida 33131

Facsimile: (305) 374-5095

Attention: William Arnhols, Esq.

 Esther L. Moreno, Esq.

 

D-7


Annex I

Issue Date Mortgaged Properties and Proposed Facilities to Mortgage

[***]

EX-4.3 3 d764760dex43.htm EX-4.3 EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

The GEO Group, Inc.

as Issuer

and the

Initial Guarantors (as defined herein)

and

Ankura Trust Company, LLC,

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 18, 2024

10.250% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section
310(a)(1)    7.10
(a)(2)    7.10
(a)(3)    N.A.
(a)(4)    N.A.
(a)(5)    7.10
(b)    7.10
(c)    N.A.
311(a)    7.11
(b)    7.11
(c)    N.A.
312(a)    2.06
(b)    13.03
(c)    13.03
313(a)    7.06(a)
(b)(1)    N.A.
(b)(2)    7.06(a), 7.07(f)
(c)    7.06(a), 13.02(d)
(d)    7.06(b)
314(a)    13.05
(b)    N.A.
(c)(1)    N.A.
(c)(2)    N.A.
(c)(3)    N.A.
(d)    N.A.
(e)    13.05
(f)    N.A.
315(a)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    N.A.
(d)    N.A.
(e)    N.A.
316(a) (last sentence)    N.A.
(a)(1)(A)    N.A.
(a)(1)(B)    N.A.
(a)(2)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    13.14(d)
317(a)(1)    N.A.
(a)(2)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
318(a)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    13.01

N.A. means not applicable.

*

This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1  

Section 1.01 Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02 Other Definitions

     24  

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     25  

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction

     25  

ARTICLE TWO THE NOTES

     26  

Section 2.01 Form and Dating

     26  

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication

     27  

Section 2.03 Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes

     28  

Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent

     28  

Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     28  

Section 2.06 Holder Lists

     28  

Section 2.07 Registration

     28  

Section 2.08 Transfer and Exchange

     30  

Section 2.09 Replacement Notes

     39  

Section 2.10 Outstanding Notes

     39  

Section 2.11 Treasury Notes

     40  

Section 2.12 Temporary Notes

     40  

Section 2.13 Cancellation

     40  

Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest

     40  

Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers

     40  

Section 2.16 Issuance of Additional Notes

     41  

ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

     41  

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee

     41  

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

     41  

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption

     41  

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption

     42  

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price

     43  

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part

     43  

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption

     43  

Section 3.08 [Reserved]

     44  

Section 3.09 Repurchase Offers

     44  

Section 3.10 Application of Trust Money

     45  

ARTICLE FOUR COVENANTS

     46  

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes

     46  

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency

     46  

Section 4.03 Reports

     46  

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate

     47  

Section 4.05 Taxes

     48  

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     48  

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments

     48  

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

     50  

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

     52  

Section 4.10 Asset Sales

     55  

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates

     57  

Section 4.12 Liens

     58  

Section 4.13 Business Activities

     58  

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control

     58  

Section 4.15 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     59  

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 4.16 [Reserved]

     59  

Section 4.17 Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     59  

Section 4.18 Additional Note Guarantees

     60  

Section 4.19 Changes in Covenants when Notes Rated Investment Grade

     60  

ARTICLE FIVE SUCCESSORS

     61  

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

     61  

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted

     62  

ARTICLE SIX DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     62  

Section 6.01 Events of Default

     62  

Section 6.02 Acceleration

     63  

Section 6.03 Other Remedies

     64  

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults

     64  

Section 6.05 Control by Majority

     64  

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits

     64  

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment

     65  

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee

     65  

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     65  

Section 6.10 Priorities

     65  

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs

     66  

ARTICLE SEVEN TRUSTEE

     66  

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee

     66  

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee

     67  

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee

     68  

Section 7.04 Disclaimer

     68  

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults

     69  

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes

     69  

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity

     69  

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee

     70  

Section 7.09 Successor by Merger, Etc.

     71  

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification

     71  

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

     71  

Section 7.12 Application for Instructions from the Company

     71  

ARTICLE EIGHT DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     71  

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     71  

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     71  

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance

     72  

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     72  

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     73  

Section 8.06 Repayment to the Company

     74  

Section 8.07 Reinstatement

     74  

ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     74  

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes

     74  

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes

     75  

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

     76  

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents

     76  

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes

     77  

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

     77  

ARTICLE TEN NOTE GUARANTEES

     77  

Section 10.01 Guarantee

     77  

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     78  

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of a Supplemental Indenture Relating to a Note Guarantee

     78  

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms

     78  

Section 10.05 Release of a Guarantor

     79  

ARTICLE ELEVEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     79  

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge

     79  

Section 11.02 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     80  

Section 11.03 Repayment to the Company

     80  

ARTICLE TWELVE [RESERVED]

     80  

ARTICLE THIRTEEN MISCELLANEOUS

     80  

Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls

     80  

Section 13.02 Notices

     81  

Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes

     82  

Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     82  

Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     82  

Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents

     82  

Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Managers, Employees, Incorporators, Stockholders, Members and Partners

     82  

Section 13.08 Governing Law

     83  

Section 13.09 Consent to Jurisdiction

     83  

Section 13.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     83  

Section 13.11 Successors

     83  

Section 13.12 Severability

     83  

Section 13.13 Counterpart Originals

     83  

Section 13.14 Acts of Holders

     83  

Section 13.15 Benefit of Indenture

     84  

Section 13.16 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

     84  

Section 13.17 Waiver of Jury Trial

     84  

Section 13.18 Force Majeure

     85  

Section 13.19 U.S.A. Patriot Act

     85  

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    FORM OF INITIAL NOTE
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D    FORM OF EXCHANGE NOTE OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTE

 

-iii-


INDENTURE dated as of April 18, 2024 among The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), the Initial Guarantors (as defined herein) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee (as defined below).

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Notes (as defined below):

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at maturity of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes” means the 6.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc.

“2029 Senior Secured Notes” means the Company’s 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029.

“2029 Senior Secured Notes Indenture” means the indenture dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as trustee and collateral agent, governing the 2029 Senior Secured Notes, as the same may be supplemented, amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

“2029 Senior Secured Notes Secured Parties” means the beneficiaries of the Obligations under the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and the 2029 Senior Secured Notes Indenture, including the holders of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and the trustee and collateral agent under the 2029 Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person: (i) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Additional Notes” means, subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031 of the Company issued from time to time after the Issue Date under the terms of this Indenture (other than pursuant to Sections 2.08, 2.09, 2.11, 2.12 or 3.06 and other than Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes issued pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, respectively, for other Notes outstanding under this Indenture).

“Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any period, (a) EBITDA for such period minus (b) the amount, if a positive number, by which the amount of such EBITDA attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Other Consolidated Persons (including any public-private partnership of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person) minus Non-Recourse Debt Service of Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Other Consolidated Persons (including any public-private partnership of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person) exceeds 20% of such EBITDA.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, that, beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall have correlative meanings.


“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar.

“Agent Members” shall mean Participants or Indirect Participants in, the Depository.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note on any date of redemption, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value as of such date of redemption of (i) the redemption price of such Note on April 15, 2027 (such redemption price being set forth in Section 3.07(a)), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note through April 15, 2027 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to (but not including) the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date of redemption plus 50 basis points, over (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof will not be the duty or obligation of the Trustee.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided, that, the sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Sections 4.14 and/or 5.01 hereof and not by Section 4.10 hereof; and

(2) the issuance or sale by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

(i) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves the sale or other disposition of assets or the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary having a fair market value of less than $20.0 million;

(ii) a transfer of assets by the Company to any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(iii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(iv) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(v) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(vi) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted by Section 4.07 hereof; and

(vii) the sale or other disposition of Delaney Hall.

“Asset Swap” means an exchange of assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents or Equity Interests of the Company or any Subsidiary by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company for:

(i) one or more Permitted Businesses;

(ii) a controlling equity interest in any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary whose assets consist primarily of one or more Permitted Businesses; and/or

 

2


(iii) one or more real estate properties.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have a corresponding meaning.

“Board of Directors” means: (1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board; (2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership; and (3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Board Resolution” means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or person performing similar function of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

“Business Day” means any day which is not a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease” means any lease of any property by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Other Consolidated Person, as lessee, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

“Cash Equivalents” means: (1) United States dollars; (2) Government Securities having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition; (3) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition; (4) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better; (5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above; (6) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition; (7) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition; and (8) with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, deposit accounts held by such Foreign Subsidiary in local currency at local commercial banks or savings banks or saving and loan associations in the ordinary course of business.

 

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“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Company;

(2) the approval by the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company or any Parent Company of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any Parent Company or, if no such approval is required, the adoption of a plan by the Company or any Parent Company relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any Parent Company;

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including without limitation any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a Parent Company, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; or

(4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (A) the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (B) immediately after such transaction, no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), becomes, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of the Company, other than in each case, in connection with any transaction or series of transactions in which the Company shall become a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of a Parent Company.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, or its successor.

“Company” means The GEO Group, Inc. until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five hereof and thereafter means the successor.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, that:

(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

 

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(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;

(3) the Net Income of any Person acquired during such period for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be excluded;

(4) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded;

(5) the Net Income or loss of any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(6) any non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including, but not limited to, any expenses relating to severance, relocation and one-time compensation charges and any expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost saving initiatives) shall be excluded;

(7) any net after-tax income (loss) from disposed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed or discontinued operations shall be excluded;

(8) the amount of any restructuring charge, integration costs or other business optimization expenses or reserve shall be excluded;

(9) any foreign currency translation gains or losses (including gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness) of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, shall be excluded;

(10) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or cancellation of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded; and

(11) any fees, expenses or charges related to any equity offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness not prohibited from being incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof), whether or not completed or successful, shall be excluded, including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions and (ii) any amendment or other modification of the 2031 Senior Notes, the Notes and the Credit Agreement.

“Consolidated Tangible Assets” means the total assets, less goodwill and other intangibles shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP less all write-ups (other than write-ups in connection with acquisitions) subsequent to the date hereof in the book value of any asset (except any such intangible assets) owned by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any Transaction Date with respect to any Person, the ratio of:

(1) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis outstanding on such Transaction Date, to

(2) the aggregate amount of Adjusted EBITDA of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such Person’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters immediately preceding such Transaction Date for which internal financial statements are available.

 

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The Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,” including any pro forma adjustments to Indebtedness and Adjusted EBITDA.

“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may from time to time give notice to the Company and to the Holders.

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among the Company, GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., the administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder, and the lenders who are, or may from time to time become, party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as may be amended (and/or amended and restated), modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time, in whole or in part, with the same or different lenders (including, without limitation, any amendment, amendment and restatement, modification, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing that increases the maximum amount of the loans made or to be made thereunder).

“Credit Facility” or “Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), indentures, notes, notes purchase agreements or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders or accredited investors or institutional investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, term debt, debt securities, project financings, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended (and/or amended and restated), restated, supplemented, modified, renewed, extended, increased, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

“Custodian” means the Trustee or its agent, as custodian with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Delaney Hall” means the Facility and related assets known as Delaney Hall, located in Essex County, New Jersey.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note or Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.08 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D hereto, as applicable, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

“Designated Asset” means any Facility used in a Permitted Business owned or leased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is subject to a Governmental Authority’s option to purchase or right of reversion under the related Designated Asset Contract.

 

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“Designated Asset Contract” means (a) contracts or arrangements in existence on the date of this Indenture with respect to the following Facilities under which a Governmental Authority has the right to purchase such Facility for the Designated Asset Value of such Facility, or with respect to which there is a right of reversion of all or a portion of the Company’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s ownership or leasehold interest in such Facility: Central Arizona Correctional Facility; Arizona State Prison Phoenix; Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility; Lawton Correctional Facility; Arizona State Prison Kingman; Abraxas Youth Center (So. Mountain, PA); and Leadership Development Program (So. Mountain, PA); and (b) a contract that is acquired or entered into after the date of this Indenture under which a Governmental Authority has an option to purchase a Designated Asset from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for a Designated Asset Value or a right of reversion of all or a portion of the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s ownership or leasehold interest in such Designated Asset, provided that such contract is acquired or entered into in the ordinary course of business and is preceded by (i) if the related Designated Asset Value is greater than or equal to $50 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the acquisition or entering into of such contract has been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or (ii) an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the acquisition or entering into of such contract has been approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and, in either case, the option to purchase or right of reversion in such contract is on terms the Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, has determined to be reasonable and in the best interest of the Company taking into account the transaction contemplated thereby or by the acquisition thereof.

“Designated Asset Value” means the aggregate consideration to be received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as set forth in a Designated Asset Contract.

“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of total consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the Company’s principal executive officer or principal financial officer, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with the Asset Sale.

“Designated Representative” means, with respect to any series of secured Indebtedness, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under an indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States (but not the laws of Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia or that guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor.

“EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus the sum of the following determined on a consolidated basis, without duplication, for the Company and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons in accordance with GAAP: (a) the sum of the following to the extent deducted in determining Net Income: (i) income and franchise taxes, (ii) Interest Expense (excluding Interest Expense attributable to any public-private partnership of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person), (iii) amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges (excluding insurance reserves), (iv) non-recurring, extraordinary or unusual charges and expenses, including in respect of restructuring or integration costs or premiums paid in connection with the redemption of Indebtedness, and (v) an amount (not exceeding an amount equal to 15% of Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Company most recently ended prior to the calculation of such amount for which financial statements are available) equal to the aggregate amount of start-up and transition costs incurred during such period in connection with Facilities and operations; less (b) to the extent added in determining Net Income, any extraordinary gains.

 

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If any acquisition permitted under this Indenture is consummated at any time during a period for which EBITDA is calculated, EBITDA for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis and, to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the amount of transaction costs and expenses and extraordinary charges relating to such acquisition (or relating to any acquisition consummated by the acquired entity prior to the closing of such acquisition but during the period of computation), as the case may be, shall be added to EBITDA for such period.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means an offering of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Capital Stock that by its terms has a preference in liquidation or as to dividends over any other Capital Stock) of the Company (other than (1) an offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company and (2) an offering with aggregate net proceeds to the Company of less than $35.0 million).

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear System, and any successor thereto.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exchange Notes” means (1) the Company’s 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031 issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.

“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Exchanging Dealer” means a broker-dealer that holds Notes that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) that is participating in the Registered Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Existing Indebtedness” means the Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the Notes) in existence on the date hereof, including the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes, until such amounts are repaid.

“Facility” means a correctional, detention, mental health or other facility the principal function of which is to carry out a Permitted Business.

“First Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, among the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement, the Trustee, the collateral agent in respect of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes, the Company and the Guarantors, as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, renewed, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified.

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized, including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations, net of Non-Recourse Interest Payments received in cash by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary relating to any Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness up to the amount of interest expense for such Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness, but excluding amortization of debt issuance costs and non-cash interest expense imputed on convertible debt instruments pursuant to APB No. 14-1; plus

 

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(2) any Interest Expense on Indebtedness of another Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(3) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local effective cash tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Adjusted EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period, provided, however, that interest expense, if any, attributable to any Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis, shall be computed giving pro forma effect to any Non-Recourse Interest Payments related to such Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness, provided, further, that the obligation to make such Non-Recourse Interest Payments commences with the incurrence of the corresponding Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and Adjusted EBITDA for such reference period will be calculated on a pro forma basis in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, but without giving effect to clause (3) of the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income; provided that, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio with respect to the Company, such calculations on a pro forma basis may, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Regulation S-X, include adjustments to reflect the amount of cost savings, operational improvements and synergies projected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of actions taken or expected to be taken within 12 months (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operational improvements and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided, further, that (x) such cost savings, operational improvements and synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (y) such cost savings, operational improvements and synergies are expected to be realized within 18 months of the date thereof in connection with such actions and (z) the aggregate amount of cost savings, operational improvements and synergies added pursuant to this proviso shall not exceed 15.0% of Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis for the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the Transaction Date;

 

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(2) the Adjusted EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded; and

(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, without giving effect to any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2018. All ratios and computations contained or referred to herein shall be computed in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.08(g)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes issued to the Depositary in accordance with certain sections of this Indenture.

“Government Contract” means a contract between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and a Governmental Authority located in the United States or all obligations of any such Governmental Authority as account debtor arising under any Account (as defined in the UCC) now existing or hereafter arising owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

“Government Operating Agreement” means any management services contract, operating agreement, use agreement, lease or similar agreement with a Governmental Authority relating to a Facility in a Permitted Business.

“Government Securities” means securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities.

“Governmental Authority” means any nation, province, state, municipality or political subdivision thereof, and any government or any agency or instrumentality thereof exercising executive, legislative, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness, provided that the pledge of any Government Operating Agreement with respect to any Facility to secure Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to such Facility shall not be deemed a Guarantee. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantors” or “Guarantor” means (i) the Initial Guarantors and any other Restricted Subsidiary that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and its respective successors and assigns until released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and (ii) any Parent Company and any parent entity of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and its respective successors and assigns.

 

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“Hedging Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or its Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates; and

(3) foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements, currency option agreements and other agreements or arrangements with respect to foreign currency exchange rates.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

“Immaterial Government Contracts” means all Government Contracts that pertain to a Facility or Facilities owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary and are required to be assigned to secure related Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that the amount of EBITDA reasonably attributable to all Immaterial Government Contracts in the aggregate for the four fiscal quarters ending on or most recently ended prior to any date of determination shall not exceed 10% of EBITDA for the same four fiscal quarter period. For purposes of this definition of Immaterial Government Contracts, the term “EBITDA” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Credit Agreement.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or

(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person; provided that the pledge of any Government Operating Agreement to secure Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to the Facility that is the subject of such Government Operating Agreement shall not be deemed Indebtedness) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

 

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The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and

(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Initial Guarantors” means the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that Guarantee the Notes on the Issue Date, which are all of the Company’s Subsidiaries that Guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date, all of which are signatories to this Indenture.

“Initial Notes” means (1) $625,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031 issued on the Issue Date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

“Initial Purchasers” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Persons purchasing such Initial Notes under the related Purchase Agreement and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

“Installment Sale” means any sale of a property by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Other Consolidated Person, as seller, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as an installment sale on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons.

“Interest Expense” means, for any period, the sum, for the Company and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP), of the following: (a) all interest and fees in respect of Indebtedness (including the interest component of any payments in respect of Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases accounted for as interest under GAAP) accrued or capitalized during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period) plus (b) the net amount payable (or minus the net amount receivable) under Hedging Agreements relating to interest during such period (whether or not actually paid or received during such period) minus (c) interest income (excluding interest income in respect of Capital Leases and Installment Sales) during such period (whether or not actually received during such period).

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP and including the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of all Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof.

“Issue Date” means the first date Notes are issued under this Indenture.

 

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“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the UCC (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with: (a) any sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries ;

(2) any extraordinary gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain or loss;

(3) any loss resulting from impairment of goodwill recorded on the consolidated financial statements of such Person pursuant to ASC 350 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”;

(4) any loss resulting from the change in fair value of a derivative financial instrument pursuant to ASC 815 “Derivative and Hedging”; and

(5) amortization of debt issuance costs.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash (but excluding Designated Non-Cash Consideration until such time as actual cash payments are made with respect thereto) or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:

(i) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale;

(ii) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements;

(iii) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale;

(iv) any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP; and

(v) so long as after giving pro forma effect to any such distribution no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the amount required to be distributed to the holders of the Company’s (or any direct or indirect Parent Company’s) Capital Stock as a result of such Asset Sale in order to enable the Company (or any such Parent Company) to avoid payment of any tax for any calendar year that could be avoided by reason of a distribution by the Company to its shareholders, with such distribution to be made as and when determined by the Company, whether during or after the end of, the relevant calendar year.

 

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“Non-Recourse” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation and to any Person, that such Person has not Guaranteed or provided credit support of any kind (including a “Keepwell” arrangement) with respect to such Indebtedness or other obligation, and is not otherwise liable, directly or indirectly, for such Indebtedness or other obligation, and that any action or inaction by such Person, including, without limitation, any default by such Person on its own Indebtedness or other obligations, will not result in any default, event of default, acceleration, or increased financial or other obligations, under or with respect to such Indebtedness or other obligation; provided that any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or Other Consolidated Person that would otherwise be Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries solely due to (A) any investment funded at the time or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (B) the assignment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of its rights under any Government Operating Agreement to secure Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness or other obligations of any Other Consolidated Person, related to such Government Operating Agreement.

“Non-Recourse Debt Service” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the sum of, without duplication (a) the net interest expense of such Person with respect to Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined for such period, without duplication, on a consolidated or combined basis, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP, (b) the scheduled principal payments required to be made during such period by such Person with respect to Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (c) rent expense for such period associated with Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of a Subsidiary (the “Project Financing Subsidiary”) incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction or development of any Facility (and any Attributable Debt in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction entered into in connection with (i) the acquisition, construction or development of any Facility by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture or (ii) any vacant land upon which a Facility related to any Permitted Business is to be built):

(1) where either the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or such Project Financing Subsidiary operates or is responsible for the operation of the Facility pursuant to a Government Operating Agreement;

(2) as to which neither the Company nor any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, other than such Project Financing Subsidiary, (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness or Attributable Debt), it being understood that neither (i) equity Investments funded at the time of or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or Attributable Debt, nor (ii) the pledge by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Government Operating Agreement relating to such Facility shall be deemed credit support or an Investment or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise;

(3) where, upon the termination of the management services contract with respect to such Facility, neither the Company nor any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, other than the Project Financing Subsidiary, will be liable, directly or indirectly, to make any payments with respect to such Indebtedness or Attributable Debt (or, in each case, any portion thereof);

(4) the interest expense related to such Indebtedness or Attributable Debt is fully serviced by a payment pursuant to a Government Operating Agreement with respect to such Facility (the “Non-Recourse Interest Payment”); and

(5) such Project Financing Subsidiary has no assets other than the assets, including any ownership or leasehold interests in such Facility and any working capital, reasonably related to the design, construction, management and financing of the Facility.

 

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“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Note Guarantee” means a Guarantee by each Guarantor of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes.

“Notes” means, collectively, the Initial Notes, the Additional Notes, the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes, treated as a single class of securities, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, that are issued pursuant to this Indenture.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, expenses, premiums, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by at least two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

“Other Consolidated Persons” means Persons, none of the Equity Interests of which are owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whose financial statements are required to be consolidated with the financial statements of the Company in accordance with GAAP.

“Parent Company” means any Person so long as such Person (i) holds, directly or indirectly, 100% of the total voting power of the Capital Stock of the Company and (ii) provides a Note Guarantee; and at and after the time such Person acquired such voting power, (x) no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall be or become a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Capital Stock of such Person and (y) each of the total assets, revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities of such Person, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding in each case amounts related to its investment in the Company, as shown in the most recent fiscal quarter financial statements of such Person (measured on a most recent trailing four fiscal quarter basis with respect to revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities), is not more than 3.0% of such Person’s corresponding consolidated amount determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

“Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction” means (a) any call option or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on the common stock of the Company purchased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an incurrence of Permitted Convertible Indebtedness and (b) any call option or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) replacing or refinancing the foregoing; provided that (x) the sum of (i) the purchase price for any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction occurring after the Issue Date plus (ii) the purchase price for any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction it is refinancing or replacing, if any, minus (iii) the cash proceeds received upon the termination or the retirement of the Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction it is replacing or refinancing, if any, less (y) the sum of (i) the cash proceeds from the sale of the related Permitted Warrant Transaction plus (ii) the cash proceeds from the sale of any Permitted Warrant Transaction refinancing or replacing such related Permitted Warrant Transaction, if any, minus (iii) the amount paid upon termination or retirement of such related Permitted Warrant Transaction, if any, does not exceed the net cash proceeds from the incurrence of the related Permitted Convertible Indebtedness.

 

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“Permitted Business” means the business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture and businesses reasonably related thereto or ancillary or incidental thereto or a reasonable extension thereof, including the provision of services or goods to Governmental Authorities.

“Permitted Convertible Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (which may be Guaranteed by the Guarantors) permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof that is (1) convertible into or exchangeable for common stock of the Company (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock) or (2) sold as units with call options, warrants, rights or obligations to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transactions) that are exercisable for common stock of the Company and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock).

“Permitted Convertible Indebtedness Call Transaction” means any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and any Permitted Warrant Transaction.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary);

(2) any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary), if as a result of such Investment:

 

  (a)

such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary); or

 

  (b)

such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Project Financing Subsidiary);

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer;

(6) Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for any speculative purpose;

(7) other Investments in any other Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) not to exceed: (a) $125.0 million; plus (b) the net reductions in Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) resulting from distributions on or repayments of such Investments or from the net cash proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, that, the net reduction in any Investment shall not exceed the amount of such Investment;

(8) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(9) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not to exceed $7.5 million outstanding at any one time for all loans or advances under this clause (9);

(10) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor;

(11) Investments in existence on the date of this Indenture;

(12) Investments that are made or received in exchange for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(13) Investments in South African Services Pty Ltd. having an aggregate fair market value, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) not to exceed $50.0 million;

(14) any Investments made or acquired with the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(15) any Investment in any Person that is not at the time of such Investment, or does not thereby become, a Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate amount (measured on the date such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (15) since the Issue Date (but, to the extent that any Investment made pursuant to this clause (15) since the Issue Date is sold or otherwise liquidated for cash, minus the lesser of (a) the cash return of capital with respect to such Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (b) the initial amount of such Investment) not to exceed 20% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; provided that the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or a Permitted Joint Venture has entered, or concurrently with any such Investment, enters into or assumes a Government Operating Agreement with respect to assets of such Person that are used or useful in a Permitted Business; and

(16) Investments consisting of the financing of the sale of equipment (including capital leases) to customers in connection with any contract for services entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business.

“Permitted Joint Venture” means any Person that is engaged in a Permitted Business and in which the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries directly owns (A) at least 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of such Person and (B) at least 50% of the Equity Interests in such Person.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens on any assets (including real or personal property) of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under Credit Facilities incurred under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof that were permitted to be incurred by the terms of this Indenture; (7) Liens existing on the date hereof, including Liens securing the 2029 Senior Secured Notes (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not any additional 2029 Senior Secured Notes issued following the date of this Indenture);

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition and do not extend to any property other than the property so acquired by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) incurred under Section 4.09(b)(iv) hereof covering only the assets acquired with such Indebtedness;

(8) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

(9) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that any such Lien does not extend to or cover any property, Capital Stock or Indebtedness other than the property, shares or debt securing the Indebtedness so refunded, refinanced or extended;

(10) Attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to a Default or an Event of Default;

(11) Liens on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(12) Liens incurred with respect to obligations that do not exceed $35.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(13) pledges or deposits under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or deposits or cash or Government Securities to secure surety or appeal bonds to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(14) Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if a reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

(15) encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or liens incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(16) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness (other than any 2031 Senior Notes) is secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(17) leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(18) normal customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

(19) Liens on assets of a Project Financing Subsidiary securing Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness of such Project Financing Subsidiary and Liens on any Government Operating Agreement securing Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to the Facility that is the subject of such Government Operating Agreement;

(20) any interest or title of a lessor, licensor or sublicensor in the property subject to any lease, license or sublicense (other than property that is the subject of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction);

(21) Liens on deposits or other amounts held in escrow to secure payments (contingent or otherwise) payable by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any acquisition permitted by the terms of this Indenture;

(22) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under clause (xi) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(23) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under clause (xiv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by a Lien that is pari passu with the Liens securing the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and (ii) the holders of such Indebtedness or their Designated Representative shall have become party to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement;

(24) the assignment by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of rights under Immaterial Government Contracts pertaining to a Facility or Facilities owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure related Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(25) any Lien on cash resulting from the deposit of funds into an irrevocable escrow in satisfaction of the “Maturity Reserve Condition” (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or similar condition.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries issued in repayment of, exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, repay, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); provided, that:

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);

(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded;

 

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(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded; and

(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by any Restricted Subsidiary who is an obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, repaid, defeased or refunded.

“Permitted Warrant Transaction” means any call options, warrants or rights to purchase (or substantively equivalent derivative transactions) on common stock of the Company purchased or sold by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries substantially concurrently with a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

“preferred stock” as used herein means as applied to Capital Stock of any Person, Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

“Private Exchange” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to the Initial Purchasers to issue and deliver to each Initial Purchaser, in exchange for the Initial Notes held by the Initial Purchaser as part of its initial distribution, a like aggregate principal amount of Private Exchange Notes.

“Private Exchange Notes” means any 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031 issued in connection with a Private Exchange.

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.08(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Purchase Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement, dated April 4, 2024, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the representative of the Initial Purchasers of the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company and the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the representative of the Initial Purchasers of the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

 

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“Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominees, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominees that shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Regulation S.

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.08(g)(iii) hereof.

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any vice president, assistant vice president or other trust officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Definitive Notes and Restricted Global Notes.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement relating to property with a book value in excess of $15.0 million now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to another Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person other than a lease properly characterized pursuant to GAAP as a Capital Lease Obligation, other than transfers and leases among the Company and any Restricted Subsidiaries or among Restricted Subsidiaries.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of this Indenture the SEC is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Securities Act, Exchange Act and Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Section 4(a)(2)” means Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the registration statement filed by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes or Private Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any specified Person: (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

“Synthetic Leases” means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product where such transaction is considered borrowed money Indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, except as provided in Section 9.03 hereof.

“Transactions” means, collectively, the offerings of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and the Notes, the entry into the Credit Agreement and incurrence of tranche B term loans thereunder on the Issue Date, the application of the net proceeds of the offerings of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and the Notes and such tranche B loans, in each case, as described in the final version of the offering memorandum relating to the offerings of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and the Notes, dated April 4, 2024.

“Transaction Date” means, with respect to the incurrence of any Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, the date such Indebtedness is to be incurred and, with respect to any Restricted Payment, the date such Restricted Payment is to be made.

“Treasury Rate” means as of any date of redemption of Notes the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two (2) Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2027; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2027 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2027 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

“Trustee” means Ankura Trust Company, LLC, together with its successors and assigns, in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor trustee serving hereunder.

 

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“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

“Unoccupied Facility” means any prison facility owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which for the fifty-two week period ending on the date of measurement has had an average occupancy level of less than 15%.

“Unrestricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Company and its Subsidiaries that are not subject to any Lien or preferential arrangement in favor of any Person to protect such Person against loss and are not part of any funded reserve established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries required by GAAP.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D attached hereto, as applicable, that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” or “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” means (a) CSC of Tacoma, LLC, GEO International Holdings, LLC, Florina Insurance Company, GEO Design Services, Inc., WCC Financial, Inc., WCC Development, Inc., GEO/FL/01, Inc., GEO/FL/02, Inc., GEO/FL/03, Inc., The GEO Group UK Ltd., The GEO Group Ltd., South African Custodial Holdings Pty. Ltd., The GEO Group Australasia Pty, Ltd., GEO Australasia Pty, Ltd., The GEO Group Australia Pty, Ltd., Australasian Correctional Investment, Ltd., Pacific Rim Employment Pty, Ltd., Canadian Correctional Management, Inc., South African Custodial Services Pty, Ltd. (SACS), South African Custodial Management Pty, Ltd., GEO Australia Management Services Pty, Ltd., Australasian Correctional Services Pty, Ltd., Sentencing Concepts, Inc., BI Puerto Rico, Inc., GEO Amey Ltd., GEO FIC Holdings, LLC, GEO/DE/MC/03 LLC, Premier Custodial Group Ltd., Premier Custodial Services Group Ltd., Premier Custodial Services Ltd, Premier Prison Services Ltd., Correct Care Australasia Pty Ltd., BI of Australia Pty Ltd., Clearstream Development Courthouse Commons, LLC, Cypress-Spring Investments, LLC, Four Streams Investment, LLC, Park 19 Holdings, LLC, Patriotic Partners Inc., Strategic Portfolio Solutions San Diego, LLC, and Strategic Portfolio Solutions, LLC; (b) any other Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution; and (c) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of any Subsidiary described in clauses (a) or (b).

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction, or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

(1) such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(2) such designation and the Investment of the Company in such Subsidiary complies with Section 4.07 hereof.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted under Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant.

 

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The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

“U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at the time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange Rates” table under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two (2) Business Days prior to such determination.

Except as described in Section 4.09 hereof, whenever it is necessary to determine whether the Company has complied with any covenant in this Indenture or a Default has occurred and an amount is expressed in a currency other than U.S. dollars, such amount will be treated as the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined as of the date such amount was initially incurred in such currency.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal or liquidation preference, as the case may be, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (2) the then outstanding aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, as the case may be, of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any specified Person means a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interest of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term    Defined in Section
Act    13.14(a)
Affiliate Transaction    4.11(a)
Asset Sale Offer    4.10(d)
Authentication Order    2.02
Change of Control Offer    4.14(a)
Change of Control Payment    4.14(a)
Change of Control Payment Date    4.14(a)
Company    5.02
Covenant Defeasance    8.03
DTC    2.04(b)
Event of Default    6.01(a)
Excess Proceeds    4.10(d)
indenture securities    1.03
indenture security Holder    1.03
indenture to be qualified    1.03
indenture trustee    1.03
Independent Assets    4.03(d)
institutional trustee    1.03
Legal Defeasance    8.02

 

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obligor    1.03
Offer Amount    3.09
Offer Period    3.09
Operations    4.03(d)
Option of Holder to Elect Purchase    3.09(vi)
Paying Agent    2.04(a)
Payment Default    6.01(a)(v)(1)
Permitted Debt    4.09(b)
Purchase Date    3.09
Registrar    2.04(a)
Repurchase Offer    3.09
Restricted Payments    4.07(a)(iv)
Secured Notes Asset Sale Offer    4.10(c)
Specified Courts    13.09
Suspension Period    4.19(b)

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(iii) “or” is not exclusive;

(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(v) provisions apply to successive events and transactions

(vi) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time; and

(vii) references, in any context, to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest that is payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE TWO

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Initial Notes and the Trustee’s (or its agent’s) certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Trustee’s (or its agent’s) certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in registered, global form without interest coupons and only shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto), as applicable. Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit D attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto), as applicable. Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, repurchases and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.08 hereof.

(c) 144A Global Notes. Initial Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of the 144A Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or its agent as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of a 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Temporary Global Notes. Initial Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or its agent as hereinafter provided. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in each Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of a Regulation S Permanent Global Note as hereinafter provided, the Trustee at the request of the Company pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate shall cancel the corresponding Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

One Officer of the Company shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or electronic signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or its agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence and the only evidence, that the Note has been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Trustee or its agent shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue on the date hereof in the aggregate principal amount of $625,000,000, and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee or its agent shall, pursuant to an Authentication Order, authenticate Additional Notes for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order and Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, respectively, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Notes. The Authentication Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, whether such Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, and in the case of an issuance of Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.16 after the Issue Date, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09. In authenticating such Notes, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(A) a copy of the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company in or pursuant to which the terms of the Notes were established, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect as of the date of such certificate;

(B) an Officers’ Certificate delivered in accordance with Section 13.04(i) hereof; and

(C) an Opinion of Counsel delivered in accordance with Section 13.04(ii) hereof and which shall also state:

(1) that such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; and

(2) that all laws and corporate requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Notes have been complied with.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Notes under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights and protections as an Agent to deal with Holders, the Company and/or an Affiliate of the Company. As of the Issue Date, the Trustee has appointed The Huntington National Bank to act as authenticating agent.

 

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Section 2.03 Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes.

If a Holder of Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the City and State of New York unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee or its agent shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(b) The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

(c) The Company initially appoints the Trustee or its agent to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or one of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.06 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven (7) Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

Section 2.07 Registration.

The Company shall cause the Trustee to keep, so long as it is the Registrar, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or such other office as the Trustee may designate, a register of the Notes (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof being herein sometimes referred to as the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Registrar may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes.

 

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The Trustee shall initially be the Registrar for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may change the Registrar or appoint one or more co-Registrars without prior notice; provided that the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Company changes the Registrar or appoints a co-Registrar.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Notes at the office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof , the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount.

Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in a Notes shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver, Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same Indebtedness, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or for exchange, repurchase or redemption, shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer, exchange or redemption of Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Section 2.09 hereof not involving any transfer, except for any transfer tax or similar governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.12, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14 or 9.05 hereof or pursuant to any offer for the Notes which the Company may make to the Holders pursuant to the provisions of any indenture supplemental hereto).

The Company shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen (15) days before the mailing or delivery of a notice of redemption of Notes pursuant to Article Three hereof or any applicable provision of an indenture supplemental hereto and ending at the close of business on the day of such delivery, (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of Notes being redeemed in part or (c) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a regular record date and the next succeeding interest payment date or a special record date and the next succeeding special payment date.

Any Note authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, any Global Note, whether pursuant to this Section 2.07, Sections 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 3.06 and 9.05 hereto or otherwise, shall also be a Global Note and bear the legend specified in Exhibit A hereto.

All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.07 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by email with the original to follow by first class mail.

 

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Agent Members shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or under the Global Notes. The Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Notes for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note. None of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent nor the Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the Depositary with respect to such Global Note, for the records of the Depositary, including records in respect of the beneficial owners of any such Global Note, for any transactions between the Depository and any Agent Member or between or among the Depositary, any such Agent Member and/or any Holder or beneficial owner of such Global Note, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Note.

Section 2.08 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary; (ii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.09 and 2.12 hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.08(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.08(b), (c), (i) or (j) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.08(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.08(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903.

 

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Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount at maturity of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.08(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.08(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) or (3)(d) thereof; and

(B) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.08(b)(ii) above and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(C) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (iv), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be exchanged for Definitive Notes only pursuant to this clause (c).

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.08(a) hereof, subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08(b)(ii) and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an “offshore transaction” in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) [Reserved];

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall, at the written request of the Company, cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.08(h) hereof, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.08(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.

 

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The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.08(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.08(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of the Securities Act.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.08(a) and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08(b)(ii) hereof and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by an Exchanging Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.08(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause, at the written request of the Company, the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.08(h) hereof, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.08(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.08(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) [Reserved];

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) or (E) above, the 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.

 

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(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable letter of transmittal that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by an Exchanging Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.08(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.08(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.08(e).

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A) such exchange is effected pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certified in the applicable letter of transmittal that it is not (1) an Exchanging Dealer, (2) a Person participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by an Exchanging Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) General Provisions relating to Transfers and Exchanges. The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of Depositary records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any Depositary records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for transfers of beneficial interests in the Notes or any transactions between the Depositary and beneficial owners.

(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(i) Private Placement Legend. Except as permitted below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE GEO GROUP, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) PURSUANT TO (2)(C), (D) OR (E), THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE GEO GROUP, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e) (ii) or (e)(iii) to this Section 2.08 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.13 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. Each Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.13 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) Registered Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of a Registered Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable letters of transmittal that (x) they are not Exchanging Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in a Registered Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable letters of transmittal that (x) they are not Exchanging Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in a Registered Exchange Offer.

 

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Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall, at the written request of the Company, cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and mail or deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with a Registered Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

(j) Private Exchange. Upon the occurrence of a Private Exchange in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate (i) one or more Restricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for exchange by the Initial Purchasers and (ii) Restricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for exchange by the Initial Purchasers. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall, at the written request of the Company, cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and mail or deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so exchanged Restricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer, the Exchange Notes issued in connection with such Registered Exchange Offer, and Private Exchange Notes issued in connection with a Private Exchange, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

Section 2.09 Replacement Notes.

(a) If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

(b) Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.10 Outstanding Notes.

(a) The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee (or its agent) except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.11 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any of the foregoing) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

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Section 2.11 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has been notified in writing are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.12 Temporary Notes.

(a) Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

(b) Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.13 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent, and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its procedures for the disposition of canceled securities in effect as of the date of such disposition (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposition of all canceled Notes shall be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date shall be less than ten (10) days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least fifteen (15) days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or deliver or cause to be mailed or delivered to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

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Section 2.16 Issuance of Additional Notes.

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09, to issue Additional Notes without the consent of the Holders under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price. The Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

(b) the issue price, the issue date and the “CUSIP” numbers of such Additional Notes;

(c) whether such Additional Notes shall be Restricted Notes and issued in the form of Initial Notes as set forth in Exhibit A to this Indenture or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes as set forth in Exhibit D to this Indenture; and

(d) if any Additional Notes are not fungible with any of the Notes then outstanding for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

(a) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption or purchase as follows: (1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed as certified to the Trustee by the Company, and in compliance with the procedures and requirements of DTC; or (2) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts tendered), by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures subject to adjustments so that no Notes in an unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in amounts of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or deliver or cause to be mailed or delivered, by first class mail or electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than sixty (60) days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

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The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP numbers) to be redeemed and shall state:

(i) the redemption date;

(ii) the redemption price;

(iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount at maturity of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued (or cause to be transferred by book entry) in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price and become due on the date fixed for redemption;

(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(ix) any condition to such redemption.

(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five (5) Business Days before the notice of redemption is required to be mailed or sent, or caused to be mailed or sent to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.03(a). The notice, if mailed or sent in the manner provided herein shall be presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed or sent in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price, subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent relating thereto specified in the applicable notice of redemption. As long as the Notes are issued in global form, notices to be given to Holders will be given to DTC, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time.

Any notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, consummation or occurrence of any related Equity Offering, incurrence of Indebtedness, Change of Control or other transaction, as the case may be. In addition, if such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than sixty (60) days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. The Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

 

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Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

(a) One (1) Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

(b) If the Company complies with the provisions of Section 3.05(a), on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 3.05(a), interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue (or cause to be transferred by book entry) and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered. No Notes in denominations of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) On or after April 15, 2027, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) upon not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date) if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2027

     105.125

2028

     102.563

2029 and thereafter

     100.000

(b) In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2027, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.250%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date), with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that: (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within ninety (90) days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering.

(c) Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

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(d) Prior to April 15, 2027, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date). Notice of such redemption shall be sent to DTC in the case of Global Notes, or mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address in the case of certificated notes (and, to the extent permitted by applicable procedures and regulations, electronically), not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date.

(e) [Reserved].

(f) The Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to the determination of any redemption price.

(g) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 [Reserved].

Section 3.09 Repurchase Offers.

In the event that, pursuant to Sections 4.10 and 4.14 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase their respective Notes (a “Repurchase Offer”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.

The Repurchase Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five (5) Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Sections 4.10 and 4.14 hereof (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Repurchase Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer.

Upon the commencement of a Repurchase Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail or electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer. The Repurchase Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Repurchase Offer, shall state:

(i) that the Repurchase Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 hereof, and the length of time the Repurchase Offer shall remain open;

(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrete or accrue interest, if any;

(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note (or portion thereof) accepted for payment pursuant to the Repurchase Offer shall cease to accrete or accrue interest, if any, after the Purchase Date;

 

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(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Repurchase Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in principal amounts of $2,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof only;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Repurchase Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, the Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(viii) that, if the aggregate amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis or in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and (ix) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes (or portions thereof) tendered pursuant to the Repurchase Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall send to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes (or portions thereof) were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or send to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of Notes tendered by such Holder, as the case may be, and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company, shall promptly issue a new Note. The Trustee, upon written request from the Company with an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or send electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount at maturity equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the respective Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Repurchase Offer as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to a Repurchase Offer.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.10 Application of Trust Money.

All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.02 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

(a) The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, on the Restricted Notes in the same manner and on the same dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculation of Additional Interest.

(b) The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the United States (which may be an office of the Trustee or an agent of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company, upon request, shall furnish to the Holders of Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:

(i) all quarterly and annual financial and other information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

(ii) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

(b) In addition, whether or not required by the SEC, the Company shall file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (a)(i) and (ii) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to prospective investors upon request.

 

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(c) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by Section 4.03(a) hereof will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(d) Notwithstanding Sections 4.03(a), (b) and (c), if any direct or indirect parent company of the Company provides a full and unconditional Guarantee of the Notes, the reports, information and other documents required to be filed and furnished as required by Sections 4.03(a), (b) and (c) may be those of such parent company, rather than those of the Company; provided that, if and so long as such parent company shall have Independent Assets or Operations, the same is accompanied by consolidating information relating to such parent company, on the one hand, and information relating to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand. The Company shall be deemed to have furnished to the Holders of Notes, and to have filed with the SEC and delivered to the Trustee, the information and reports referred to in subclauses (i) and (ii) of Section 4.03(a) and Section 4.03(c) and this clause (d) (or such information and reports of a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, if applicable), if such information and reports have been filed with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor filing system of the SEC) and are publicly available. “Independent Assets” or “Operations” means, with respect to any such direct or indirect parent company of the Company, that each of the total assets, revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities of such parent company, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding in each case amounts related to its investment in the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown in the most recent fiscal quarter financial statements of such parent company (measured on a most recent trailing four fiscal quarter basis with respect to revenues, income from continuing operations before income taxes and cash flows from operating activities), is more than 3.0% of such parent company’s corresponding consolidated amount determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability for the filing, timeliness or content of such reports, information or documents. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

(e) In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be deemed to have failed to comply with any obligations under this Section 4.03 for purposes of Article Six of this Indenture until 120 days after the date any report under this Section 4.03 is due.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company shall and shall cause each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) to send to the Trustee, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, send to the Trustee, forthwith upon the Company becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, any material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable (A) in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or (B) to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company;

(iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee, except a payment of interest or principal to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or except any payment made at the Stated Maturity thereof (or any payment, purchase or other acquisition, in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity due within one year); or

(iv) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment; and

 

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(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b)(ii) through (ix) hereof and including the net amount of any Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof) is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(A) 50% of the aggregate amount of the Consolidated Net Income (or, if the Consolidated Net Income is a loss, minus 100% of the amount of such loss) of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis for the period (taken as one accounting period) from April 1, 2024, to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment; plus

(B) (i) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds plus (ii) 100% of the aggregate fair market value of any Permitted Business or assets used or useful in a Permitted Business (other than Restricted Investments), in each case, to the extent received by the Company since the Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or in consideration of the issuance of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), except to the extent used to make an Investment pursuant to clause (12) or (14) of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” or from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock or debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Issue Date is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment; plus

(D) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation or (ii) the fair market value of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent such Investment was treated as a Restricted Payment, plus the amount of any Investments made in such Subsidiary subsequent to such designation (or in the case of any Subsidiary that was an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Issue Date, subsequent to the Issue Date) to the extent any such Investment was treated as a Restricted Payment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; plus

(E) 100% of any other dividends or other distributions received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period in an amount not to exceed the amount of Restricted Investments previously made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(b) So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the preceding provisions will not prohibit:

 

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(i) the payment of any dividend within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(3)(B);

(iii) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(iv) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(v) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon (a) exercise of stock options to the extent that shares of such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options and (b) the withholding of a portion of the Equity Interests granted or awarded to an employee to pay taxes associated therewith;

(vi) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any member of the Company’s (or any Restricted Subsidiary’s) management; provided that the aggregate amount expended pursuant to this clause (vi) shall not exceed $10.0 million in any twelve-month period;

(vii) Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted in an amount not to exceed $125.0 million;

(viii) the repurchase by the Company of its common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed an amount equal to 10.0% of the aggregate principal amount of 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes repurchased on and after the Issue Date; and

(ix) Restricted Payments made, if, at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment, and after giving effect thereto (including, without limitation, the incurrence of any Indebtedness to finance such Restricted Payment), the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company would not exceed 2.00 to 1.00.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee. Except with respect to a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.07(b)(i) through (ix), the determination of the Company’s Board of Directors must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market value exceeds $25.0 million. Not later than the date on which such Restricted Payment was made, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this Section 4.07 were computed.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

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(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) However, the restrictions set forth in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness, the Credit Facilities and the Notes as in effect on the date hereof and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided, that, the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date hereof;

(ii) this Indenture and the Notes;

(iii) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

(iv) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(v) customary non-assignment provisions of any contract or agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business and customary provisions restricting subletting or transfer of any interest in real or personal property contained in any lease or easement agreement of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(vi) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(iii) hereof;

(vii) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary;

(viii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to dividends and other payments are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(ix) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(x) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xi) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) any Indebtedness incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof by any Foreign Subsidiary or any Guarantor, or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, if the encumbrance or restriction applies only to such Foreign Subsidiary or Guarantor and only in the event of a payment default or default with respect to a financial covenant contained in the Indebtedness or agreement and the encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes than is customary in comparable financings (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company) and the Board of Directors of the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to pay interest or principal on the Notes; or

(xiii) an arrangement or circumstance arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that does not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any Disqualified Stock or preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock and any Foreign Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the preferred stock or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) Section 4.09(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness or the issuance of Disqualified Stock, as set forth below (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(i) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (i) not to exceed an amount equal to (x) $760.0 million, plus (y) an amount not in excess of (i) the greater of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 100% of Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Company most recently ended prior to the calculation of such amount for which annual or quarterly financial statements, as applicable, have been delivered under Section 4.03 calculated, if the applicable Indebtedness is being incurred to finance an acquisition permitted under this Indenture, on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,” minus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness previously incurred pursuant to this subclause (y), less the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to repay any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, pursuant to Section 4.10;

(ii) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Existing Indebtedness;

(iii) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Notes to be issued on the date hereof and any Guarantees thereof by any Guarantor;

 

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(iv) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) 3.5% Consolidated Tangible Assets, at any time outstanding;

(v) the incurrence by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (ii), (iii) or (v) of this Section 4.09(b);

(vi) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that:

(1) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

(2) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (vi);

(vii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Hedging Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing, hedging or swapping interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be outstanding or for hedging foreign currency exchange risk, in each case to the extent the Hedging Obligations are incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s financial management and not for any speculative purpose;

(viii) the Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09;

(ix) the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued;

(x) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, including Indebtedness represented by letters of credit for the account of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance, proposal, completion, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided that the underlying obligation to perform is that of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries and not that of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided, further, that such underlying obligation is not in respect of borrowed money;

 

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(xi) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xi), not to exceed $125.0 million;

(xii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, including but not limited to Indebtedness represented by letters of credit for the account of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Equity Interests of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Equity Interests for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(xiii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of incurrence;

(xiv) the issuance of preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company that is pledged to secure the Credit Agreement and/or the Notes, provided that any subsequent transfer that results in such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed to constitute an issuance of preferred stock not permitted by this clause (xiv);

(xv) the incurrence of Acquired Debt (but not any Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, the Company); provided, however, that on the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is acquired by the Company and after giving pro forma effect thereto, (x) the Company would have been entitled to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) or (y) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would be greater than such ratio for the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(xvi) Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Guarantees of Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, at any time outstanding; and

(xvii) Indebtedness consisting of obligations under any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness Call Transaction.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with any restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness where the Indebtedness incurred is not denominated in U.S. dollars, the amount of such Indebtedness will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined on the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness; provided, however, that if any such Indebtedness not denominated in U.S. dollars is subject to a Hedging Obligation with respect to U.S. dollars covering all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on such Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness expressed in U.S. dollars will be as provided in such Hedging Obligation. The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in the same currency as the Indebtedness being refinanced will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Indebtedness refinanced, except to the extent that (i) such U.S. Dollar Equivalent was determined based on a Hedging Obligation, in which case the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, and (ii) the principal amount of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, in which case the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such excess shall be determined on the date such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred.

 

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(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (i) through (xvii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company shall be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture shall be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided in Section 4.09(b)(i) hereof.

(e) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, incur any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of the fact that the holders of secured Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor arrangements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(i) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of (except in respect of Designated Assets sold pursuant to a Designated Asset Contract);

(ii) the fair market value or Designated Asset Value, as applicable, in the case of any Asset Sales or series of related Asset Sales having a fair market value of $50.0 million or more, is determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee; and

(iii) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this Section 4.10(a)(iii) only, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(1) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

(2) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents within ninety (90) days after the applicable Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received in that conversion;

(3) notes or other obligations or Indebtedness actually received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary as consideration for the sale or other disposition of a Designated Asset pursuant to a contract with a governmental or quasi- governmental agency, but only to the extent that such notes or other obligations or Indebtedness were explicitly required to be included, or permitted to be included solely at the option of the purchaser, in such consideration pursuant to such contract;

 

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(4) 100% of Indebtedness actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as consideration for the sale or other disposition of an Unoccupied Facility; and

(5) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in the Asset Sale, in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year of the Company (measured on the date such Designated Non-Cash Consideration was received without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received as consideration pursuant to this clause (5) during such fiscal year (but, to the extent that any such Designated Non-Cash Consideration is sold or otherwise liquidated for cash, minus the lesser of (x) the amount of the cash received (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (y) the initial amount of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration), not to exceed $150.0 million.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may engage in Asset Swaps; provided that:

(i) immediately after giving effect to such Asset Swap, the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a); and

(ii) the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the fair market value of the assets received by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary in the Asset Swap is not less than the fair market value of the assets disposed of by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Swap and such determination is evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

(c) Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary may apply those Net Proceeds, at its option:

(i) to permanently reduce, prepay, repay, satisfy and discharge, or purchase, as applicable, Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, the 2029 Senior Secured Notes or the 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes (and with respect to Net Proceeds of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary) and, if the Indebtedness permanently repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(ii) to acquire, or enter into a definitive agreement to acquire, all or substantially all of the assets of, a Permitted Business or a majority of the Voting Stock of a Person engaged in a Permitted Business; provided that such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and provided, further, however, in the case of a definitive agreement, that such acquisition closes within 120 days of such 360-day period;

(iii) to make a capital expenditure in or that is used or useful in a Permitted Business (provided that the completion of (a) construction of new facilities, (b) expansions to existing facilities and (c) repair or construction of damaged or destroyed facilities, in each case, which commences within such 360 days may extend for an additional 360-day period if the Net Proceeds to be used for such construction, expansion or repair are committed specifically for such activity within such 360 days); or

(iv) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business.

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture. Commencement of an “Asset Sale Offer” with respect to the 2029 Senior Secured Notes as may be required under the 2029 Senior Secured Notes Indenture (a “Secured Notes Asset Sale Offer”) within such 360-day period shall be deemed to satisfy the condition of clause (i) of this Section 4.10(c); provided that to the extent the Net Proceeds on the basis of which any such Secured Notes Asset Sale Offer is made are declined by the holders of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes, any of such declined Net Proceeds shall be added to the calculation of Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.10(d) hereof.

 

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(d) Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in clause (c) of this Section 4.10, or that the Company determines will not be applied or invested as provided in clause (c) of this Section 4.10, shall constitute “Excess Proceeds”; provided that if the Company commences a Secured Notes Asset Sale Offer during such 360-day period, any Net Proceeds on the basis of which any such Secured Notes Asset Sale Offer is made will not be deemed Excess Proceeds until declined by the holders of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes pursuant to the Secured Notes Asset Sale Offer. When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Company shall make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and, at the Company’s option, all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu in right of payment with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase on a pro rata basis the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of purchase, and shall be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness shall be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(e) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or amend any contract, agreement, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(i) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B) except with respect to leases of facilities entered into in the ordinary course of business with a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.

 

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(b) The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a):

(i) indemnity agreements and reasonable employment arrangements (including severance and retirement agreements) entered into by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in each case approved by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company;

(ii) transactions between or among the Company and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries ;

(iii) payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

(iv) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(v) Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments that are permitted by Section 4.07;

(vi) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans and other reasonable fees, compensation, benefits and indemnities paid or entered into by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to or with officers, directors or employees of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(vii) any pledge of any Government Operating Agreement to secure Non-Recourse Project Financing Indebtedness related to the Facility that is the subject of such Government Operating Agreement.

Section 4.12 Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under this Indenture and the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable or prior basis with the Obligations so secured until such time as such Obligations are no longer secured by such Lien.

Section 4.13 Business Activities.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control.

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to a minimum denomination of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), provided that any unpurchased portion of a Note must be in a minimum denomination of $2,000. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a payment (a “Change of Control Payment”) in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed or repurchased prior to such date). Within thirty (30) days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail or deliver a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes, on the date (the “Change of Control Payment Date”) specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than thirty (30) days and no later than sixty (60) days from the date such notice is delivered, pursuant to the procedures described in Section 3.09 hereof and described in such notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control.

 

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To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to such Change of Control Offer, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall be deemed not to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.14 by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful: (1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly deliver to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (to the extent received from the Company), and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.14, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.14 and all other provisions of this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (ii) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to this Indenture in accordance with Article Three, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

Section 4.15 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default or Event of Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated shall be deemed to be Investments made as of the time of the designation, subject to the limitations on Restricted Payments. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

Section 4.16 [Reserved].

Section 4.17 Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided, that, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

(i) the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof;

 

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(ii) the gross cash proceeds of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction are at least equal to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the subject of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction; and

(iii) the transfer of assets in that Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.

Section 4.18 Additional Note Guarantees.

(a) The Notes shall initially be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Initial Guarantors and may be guaranteed by additional Subsidiaries of the Company pursuant to this Section 4.18.

(b) The Company shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee the payment of (a) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under any Credit Facility (other than any Credit Facility relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities) or (b) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million or more, unless, in each case, such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture providing for the Guarantee of the payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, which Note Guarantee shall be senior to or pari passu with such Subsidiary’s Guarantee of such other Indebtedness.

Section 4.19 Changes in Covenants when Notes Rated Investment Grade.

(a) If on any date following the date of this Indenture:

(i) the Notes are rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s and BBB- or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency); and

(ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, a “Covenant Suspension Event”),

then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of Section 4.19(b), the following Sections shall be suspended:

 

  (A)

Section 4.07;

 

  (B)

Section 4.08;

 

  (C)

Section 4.09;

 

  (D)

Section 4.10;

 

  (E)

Section 4.11;

 

  (F)

Section 4.13;

 

  (G)

Section 4.15;

 

  (H)

Section 4.17(i)(a) and (iii); and

 

  (I)

Section 5.01(a)(iv).

 

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(b) During any period that the foregoing Sections specified in Section 4.19(a) have been suspended (a “Suspension Period”), the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.15 unless such designation would have been permitted if a Suspension Period had not been in effect at such time.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.19(a) and (b) above, if the rating assigned by such rating agency should subsequently decline and the Notes are not rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s and BBB- or better by S&P (or if either such agency ceases to rate the Notes, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization), the foregoing Sections specified in Section 4.19(a) shall be reinstated as of and from the date of such rating decline. Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.07 shall be made as if Section 4.07 had been in effect since the date of this Indenture except that no default shall be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that Section 4.07 was suspended. Notwithstanding that the suspended Sections specified in Section 4.19(a) may be reinstated, no default shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with such suspended Sections during any Suspension Period.

(d) The Company shall give prompt written notice of any Covenant Suspension Event and the termination of any Covenant Suspension Event to the Trustee. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if covenants are suspended or reinstated, monitor the ratings of the Notes or notify the Holders of any suspension or reinstatement of such covenants.

ARTICLE FIVE

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.

(a) The Company shall not, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or group of affiliated Persons, or permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or transactions if such transaction or transactions, in the aggregate, would result in an assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other Person or group of affiliated Persons, unless at the time and after giving effect thereto:

(i) either (A) the Company is the surviving Person; or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

(ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(iii) no Default or Event of Default exists;

(iv) the Company or the other Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either (x) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (y) have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio that would be greater than such ratio for the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction; and

 

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(v) the Company or the other Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall have delivered to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, lease, conveyance, transfer, or other disposition, and if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with the requirements of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(b) Clause (iv) of Section 5.01(a) shall not apply to: (i) a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state of organization of the Company and that does not have as one of its purposes the evasion of such clause, (ii) a sale, transfer or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) any merger or consolidation of a Restricted Subsidiary into the Company.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company) and may exercise all rights and powers of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein.

ARTICLE SIX

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

(a) Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(i) default for thirty (30) days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;

(ii) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(iii) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with Sections 4.10, 4.14 or 5.01 hereof;

(iv) failure by the Company or any Guarantor for sixty (60) consecutive days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;

(v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date hereof, if that default:

(1) is caused by a failure to make any payment due at final maturity of such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or

(2) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more;

 

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(vi) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay final judgments not covered by insurance aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of sixty (60) days;

(vii) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Note Guarantee;

(viii) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case;

(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(3) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(4) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

(ix) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(1) is for relief against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

(2) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(3) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

(a) In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) or (ix) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes and all obligations owing hereunder and thereunder to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default.

(b) In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as a result of the acceleration of any Indebtedness described in clause (v) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if the holders of any Indebtedness described in clause (v) of Section 6.01(a) hereof have rescinded the declaration of acceleration in respect of the Indebtedness within 30 days of the date of the declaration and if:

(i) the annulment of the acceleration of Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

 

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(ii) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

(a) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

(b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase) (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). The Company shall send to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the requisite percentage of Holders have consented to such waiver and attaching copies of such consents. In case of any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the Notes, respectively. This Section 6.04 shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and the Notes, as permitted by the TIA. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to the Notes or exercising any trust or power conferred on it, and the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

(a) A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture, or the Notes only if:

(i) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(iii) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in connection with the request or direction;

 

64


(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

(v) during such sixty (60)-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

(b) A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(i) or (a)(ii) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as Trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest, if any, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

(a) If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee and its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

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Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

(b) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE SEVEN

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable judgment that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

 

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(d) [Reserved].

(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 7.01.

(f) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, costs, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in connection with the request or direction.

(g) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(h) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest or investment income on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f) The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such event is sent to the Trustee in accordance with Section 13.02 hereof, and such notice references the Notes.

(h) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

(i) Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is a Holder shall be conclusive and binding upon future Holders and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

 

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(j) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding.

(k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder (including, without limitation, as Agent), and to each officer, director, employee, agent and custodian of the Trustee and any other Person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder.

(l) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(m) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(n) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(o) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder or thereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, as determined by a non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate.

(p) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any fact or matter unless such fact or matter is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.

(q) In no event shall the Trustee be liable for failure to perform its duties hereunder if such failure is a direct or proximate result of another party’s failure to perform its obligations hereunder.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may become a creditor of, or otherwise deal with, the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as described in the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict within ninety (90) days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee for the Holders and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the Holders of Notes and the Company having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment.

 

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Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail or deliver to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days after it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within sixty (60) days after each May 1 beginning with the May 1 following the date hereof, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail or deliver to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its transmission to the Holders of Notes shall be transmitted to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee, from time to time, such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee, and/or any predecessor Trustee, as applicable, against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by either of the Company or any Guarantor or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder or thereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability, damage, claim or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable judgment. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Company or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall reasonably cooperate at the Company’s expense in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

(d) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, as applicable, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Liens shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, any termination or rejection of this Indenture under any Bankruptcy Law and resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

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(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(viii) or (ix) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property;

(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting; or

(v) the Trustee adopts policies or makes any public statement that it no longer intends to support (or to reduce its support of) the businesses of its clients operating in the same or similar industries as the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Trustee.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail or deliver a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08 or Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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Section 7.09 Successor by Merger, Etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets to, another Person, the successor Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a minimum combined capital and surplus as required by TIA § 310(a)(2) as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein. The Trustee hereby waives any right to set-off any claim that it may have against the Company in any capacity (other than as Trustee and Paying Agent) against any of the assets of the Company held by the Trustee; provided, however, that if the Trustee is or becomes a lender of any other Indebtedness permitted hereunder to be pari passu with the Notes, then such waiver shall not apply to the extent of such Indebtedness.

Section 7.12 Application for Instructions from the Company.

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five (5) Business Days after the date any Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

ARTICLE EIGHT

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may, at the option of the Board of Directors of the Company evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged with respect to their obligations under the Note Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”).

 

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For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, respectively, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on reasonable demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article Two hereof concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes and mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the Company’s obligations under Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article Eight. Subject to compliance with this Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.17, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof and clause (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof (except with respect to Sections 6.01(a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(viii) and (a)(ix)), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(a)(iii) through (vii) shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

(a) The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

(i) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date and, if the Notes are being defeased to a particular redemption date, the Company must have delivered to the Trustee an irrevocable notice of redemption;

(ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(iv) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing either (a) on the date of such deposit or (b) insofar as Sections 6.01(a)(viii) and (a)(ix) are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of deposit;

(v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(vi) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;

(vii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940 and after the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law; and

(viii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

(c) Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the written request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 8.06 Repayment to the Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE NINE

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee, as applicable, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, in each case:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(iii) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s assets;

(iv) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(v) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(vi) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the description of such Notes in any offering memorandum with respect thereto, to the extent that such provision in such description was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees as evidenced in an Officers’ Certificate; (x) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate trustee with respect to the Notes and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of this Indenture by more than one trustee; or

 

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(vii) to provide for the issuance of additional Notes in accordance with the limitations described in this Indenture;

(viii) to allow a Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture for the purpose of providing a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ix) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such actions shall not adversely affect the interests of Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

(xi) to comply with the rules and procedures of DTC.

(b) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

(a) Except as provided in Section 9.01 and Section 9.02(e) hereof, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee, as applicable, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).

(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is ninety (90) days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

(c) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

(d) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

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(e) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail or deliver to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail or deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(i) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(ii) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note or change the optional redemption dates or optional redemption prices from those provided in Section 3.07 hereof (except amendments or changes to any notice provisions, which may be amended with the consent of Holders of a majority of the Notes);

(iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(v) make any Note payable in currency other than that stated in the Notes;

(vi) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, the Notes;

(vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note;

(viii) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(ix) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees;

(x) amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make and consummate an Asset Sale Offer with respect to any Asset Sale in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof after the obligation to make an Asset Sale Offer has arisen or the obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with Section 4.14 hereof after a Change of Control has occurred, including, in each case, amending, changing or modifying any definition relating thereto; or

(xi) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

(a) The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

(b) Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture or Note authorized pursuant to this Article Nine if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture (other than a supplemental indenture adding an additional Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.18 hereof) or Note, the Trustee shall be entitled to and receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and that all conditions precedent to such execution have been met.

ARTICLE TEN

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) On the Issue Date, all of the Initial Guarantors shall Guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture as provided in this Article Ten. On the Issue Date, all of the Restricted Subsidiaries that Guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are the Initial Guarantors hereunder. Subject to this Article Ten, each of the Guarantors, including the Initial Guarantors and any other Restricted Subsidiary that may become a Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to each of the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace period provided herein), and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture or except as provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

 

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(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in, but subject to the provisions of, Article Six hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to such Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article Ten, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of a Supplemental Indenture Relating to a Note Guarantee.

(a) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

(b) If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on a supplemental indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

(c) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

(d) If required by Section 4.18 hereof, the Company shall cause such Subsidiaries to execute supplemental indentures to this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.18 hereof and this Article Ten, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms.

(a) A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into, another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(i) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

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(ii) either:

(A) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture and its Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or

(B) such sale or other disposition complies with Section 4.10 hereof, including the application of the Net Proceeds therefrom.

(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance governed by Section 10.04(a)(ii)(A), upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by a Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for a Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.

Section 10.05 Release of a Guarantor.

(a) Any Guarantor shall be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee hereunder, (i) in connection with any sale of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale complies with Section 4.10 hereof; (ii) if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; (iii) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Notes as permitted under this Indenture; or (iv) upon the release or termination (other than a termination or release resulting from the payment thereon) of such Guarantor’s Guarantee of (a) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under any Credit Facility (other than any Credit Facility relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities) and (b) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor evidenced by bonds, notes or other debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million or more.

(b) Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that one of the foregoing requirements has been satisfied and the conditions to the release of a Guarantor under this Section 10.05 have been met, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

(c) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article Ten.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

(a) This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder when:

(i) either:

(1) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

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(2) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the delivering of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year, and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, and accrued interest on, the Notes to (but not including) the date of maturity or redemption;

(ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(iii) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it hereunder; and

(iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee hereunder to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

(b) In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Section 11.02 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 11.03 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 11.03 Repayment to the Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times or The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

ARTICLE TWELVE

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

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Section 13.02 Notices.

(a) Any notice or communication by the Company or any Guarantor, on the one hand, or the Trustee on the other hand, to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), electronic mail (in “.pdf” format) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company:

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Email: smarch@geogroup.com

With a copy to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Miami, Florida 33131

Suite 1100

Attention: William Arnhols, Esq.

 Esther L. Moreno, Esq.

Emails: william.arnhols@akerman.com; esther.moreno@akerman.com

If to the Trustee:

Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee

140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor

Fairfield, CT 06824

Attention: Krista Gulalo, Beth Micena

Emails: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com; Beth.Micena@ankura.com

(b) The Company, the Guarantors, if any or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

(c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if emailed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

(d) Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

(e) If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notices to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective only when actually received by the Trustee’s Corporate Trust Department.

(f) If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

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Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to its rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(i) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(ii) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely upon the Officers’ Certificate as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

(i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Managers, Employees, Incorporators, Stockholders, Members and Partners.

No director, officer, manager, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

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Section 13.08 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 13.09 Consent to Jurisdiction.

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts sitting in the Southern District of New York in the State of New York, or if such federal courts do not have jurisdiction, then to the Commercial Division of the state courts residing in the County of New York in the State of New York, and appellate courts of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s (other than the Trustee) address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 13.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 13.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.13 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 13.14 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by the Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company if made in the manner provided in this Section 13.14.

 

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(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such witness, notary or officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.14, the principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Holder, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar as provided in Section 2.04 hereof.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of the Notes any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA § 316(c), such record date shall not be earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith or the date of the most recent list of Holders forwarded to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.06 hereof and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the then outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the then outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than ninety (90) days after the record date.

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so itself with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

Section 13.15 Benefit of Indenture.

Nothing, in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Registrar and its successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 13.16 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.17 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR. RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR. THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

84


Section 13.18 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes, epidemics or pandemics or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 13.19 U.S.A. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

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85


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the date set forth above.

 

ISSUER:
THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name: Shayn P. March
Title: Acting Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
GUARANTORS:
GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
ADAPPT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
ARAPAHOE COUNTY RESIDENTIAL CENTER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BEHAVIORAL ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BEHAVIORAL HOLDING CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
B.I. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

86


BI MOBILE BREATH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING I CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BROAD REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CCC WYOMING PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CCMAS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CEC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CEC PARENT HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

87


CEC STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS-TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CLEARSTREAM DEVELOPMENT LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES
By:   Community Education Centers, Inc., its Manager
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

88


COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTERS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL COMPANIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF RHODE ISLAND, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES PRISON FINANCE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

89


CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CPT LIMITED PARTNER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CPT OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
FENTON SECURITY, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO ACQUISITION II, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CARE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CPM, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CC3 INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

90


GEO HOLDINGS I, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO MCF LP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO OPERATIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO RE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
GEO REENTRY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

91


GEO REENTRY OF ALASKA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO REENTRY SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO SECURE SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO TRANSPORT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
GEO/DEL/R/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO/DEL/T/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
HIGHPOINT INVESTMENTS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
MCF GP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

92


MINSEC COMPANIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
MINSEC TREATMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
MUNICIPAL CORRECTIONS FINANCE L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
PROTOCOL CRIMINAL JUSTICE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
PUBLIC PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT AND LEASING LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
SECON, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
WBP LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

93


TRUSTEE:
ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC
By:  

/s/ Krista Gulalo

Name:   Krista Gulalo
Title:   Managing Director

 

94


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Initial Note]

[Global Note Legend]

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.08(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.13 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT AND ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

[Private Placement Legend]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE GEO GROUP, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) PURSUANT TO (2)(C), (D) OR (E), THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE GEO GROUP, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

A-1


[Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend]

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).

 

A-2


CUSIP [•]    $[•]
No. [•]   

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

10.250% Senior Notes due 2031

New York, New York

Issue Date: [•]

The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida Corporation (the “Company”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [Amount of Note] on April 15, 2031.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2024.

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

(Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

This is one of the 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

The Huntington National Bank, as Authenticating Agent

 

 

By:   Authorized Signatory

 

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[Reverse Side of Note]

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

10.250% Senior Notes due 2031

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.

Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 10.250% per annum from the date hereof until maturity; provided that, if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest (the “Additional Interest”) of $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the Restricted Notes will accrue on the Restricted Notes for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a Registration Default (increasing by an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the Restricted Notes with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.00% per annum). The Company shall pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2024. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

2.

Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.14 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and interest and Additional Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3.

Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Ankura Trust Company, LLC, the Trustee under the Indenture or its agent, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

4.

Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 18, 2024 (“Indenture”) among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

A-5


5.

Optional Redemption. On or after April 15, 2027, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) upon not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date) if redeemed during the twelve (12)-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2027

     105.125

2028

     102.563

2029 and thereafter

     100.000

In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2027, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.250%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date), with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that: (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within ninety (90) days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering.

Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

Prior to April 15, 2027, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date). Notice of such redemption shall be sent to DTC in the case of Global Notes, or mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address in the case of certificated notes (and, to the extent permitted by applicable procedures and regulations, electronically), not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date.

 

6.

Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.

Repurchase at Option of Holder. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

 

8.

Selection and Notice of Redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption or purchase as follows: if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed as certified to the Trustee by the Company, and in compliance with the requirements of DTC or, if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts tendered), by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures subject to adjustments so that no Note in any unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail or electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60) days before the

 

A-6


  redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than sixty (60) days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture As long as the Notes are issued in global form, notices to be given to Holders will be given to DTC, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Any notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued (or cause to be transferred by book entry) in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Subject to Section 3.05 of the Indenture, on and after the redemption date, interest and Additional Interest, if any, ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

9.

Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of fifteen (15) days before the mailing or delivery of a notice of redemption of Notes.

 

10.

Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

11.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

12.

Defaults and Remedies. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, or the principal of, the Notes.

 

13.

Trustee Dealings with Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

14.

No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, manager, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

15.

Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

A-7


16.

CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

17.

Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 18, 2024, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the representative of the Initial Purchasers of the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date. Each Holder, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Company and other named persons to the extent provided therein.

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture, the Security Agreements and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Facsimile: (561) 999-7663

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Suite 1100

Miami, Florida 33131

Facsimile: (305) 374-5095

Attention: William Arnhols, Esq.

   Esther L. Moreno, Esq.

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(1)

or (we) assign and

transfer this Note to:                                             

               (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

               (Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

            (Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:

 

    Your Signature:  
      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

         

Signature Guarantee*:

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is set forth on the face hereof. The following exchanges of interests in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of

Decrease in

Principal Amount at

Maturity of this

Global Note

  

Amount of Increase

in Principal Amount

at Maturity of this

Global Note

  

Principal Amount at

Maturity of this

Global Note

Following such

decrease (or

increase)

  

Signature of

Authorized

Signatory of Trustee

or Custodian

 

A-10


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee

140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor

Fairfield, CT 06824

Attention: Krista Gulalo, Beth Micena

Email: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com, Beth.micena@ankura.com

Re: 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “Indenture”), among The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), the Initial Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

__________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount at maturity of $_____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

☐ 1. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

☐ 2. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-1


☐ 3. Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

  ☐ (a)

such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

 

  ☐ (b)

such Transfer is being effected to the Company;

or

 

  ☐ (c)

such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

☐ 4. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

 

  ☐ (a)

Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

  ☐ (b)

Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

  ☐ (c)

Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-2


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.

The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (A) OR (B)]

 

  ☐ (A)

A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE:

 

  ☐ (i)

144A Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

 

  ☐ (ii)

Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

 

  ☐ (B)

A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

[CHECK ONE]

 

2.

After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

  ☐ (A)

A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE:

☐ (i) 144A Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

☐ (ii) Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

☐ (iii) Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP    ); or

 

  ☐ (B)

A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE; OR

 

  ☐ (C)

AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee

140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor

Fairfield, CT 06824

Attention: Krista Gulalo, Beth Micena

Email: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com, Beth.micena@ankura.com

Re: 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “Indenture”), among The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “ Company”), the Initial Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

_______________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount at maturity of $in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

☐ (a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

☐ (b) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

☐ (c) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


☐ (d) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

☐ (a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

☐ (b) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note / ☐ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

C-2


EXHIBIT D

[Face of Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note] */**/

 

*/

If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend from Exhibit A and the attachment from Exhibit A captioned “SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE”.

 

**/

If the Note is a Private Exchange Note issued in a Private Exchange to an Initial Purchaser holding an unsold portion of its initial allotment, add the Private Placement Legend from Exhibit A.

 

D-1


CUSIP [•]    $[•]
No. [•]   

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

10.250% Senior Notes due 2031

New York, New York

Issue Date: [•]

The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida Corporation (the “Company”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [Amount of Note] on April 15, 2031.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2024.

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

(Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

This is one of the 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

The Huntington National Bank, as Authenticating Agent

 

 

By:   Authorized Signatory

 

D-3


[Reverse Side of Note]

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

10.250% Senior Notes due 2031

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.

Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 10.250% per annum from the date hereof until maturity. The Company shall pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2024. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

2.

Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.14 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, and payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3.

Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Ankura Trust Company, LLC, the Trustee under the Indenture or its agent, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

4.

Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 18, 2024 (“Indenture”) among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

5.

Optional Redemption. On or after April 15, 2027, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) upon not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date) if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

 

D-4


Year

   Percentage  

2027

     105.125

2028

     102.563

2029 and thereafter

     100.000

In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2027, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (calculated by the Company and expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.250%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date), with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that: (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within ninety (90) days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering.

Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

Prior to April 15, 2027, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any), plus the Applicable Premium as of the applicable redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date if the Notes have not been redeemed prior to such date). Notice of such redemption shall be sent to DTC in the case of Global Notes, or mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address in the case of certificated notes (and, to the extent permitted by applicable procedures and regulations, electronically), not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date.

 

6.

Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.

Repurchase at Option of Holder. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

 

8.

Selection and Notice of Redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption or purchase as follows: if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed as certified to the Trustee by the Company, and in compliance with the requirements of DTC or, if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts tendered), by lot or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures subject to adjustments so that no Note in any unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail or electronically or otherwise in accordance with DTC procedures at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60) days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than sixty (60) days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture As long as the Notes are issued in global form, notices to be given to Holders will be given to DTC, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Any notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the

 

D-5


  notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued (or cause to be transferred by book entry) in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Subject to Section 3.05 of the Indenture, on and after the redemption date and interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

9.

Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of fifteen (15) days before the mailing or delivery of a notice of redemption of Notes.

 

10.

Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

11.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

12.

Defaults and Remedies. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.

 

13.

Trustee Dealings with Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

14.

No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, manager, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

15.

Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

16.

CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

D-6


The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture.

Requests may be made to:

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Facsimile: (561) 999-7663

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Suite 1100

Miami, Florida 33131

Facsimile: (305) 374-5095

Attention: William Arnhols, Esq.

 Esther L. Moreno, Esq.

 

D-7

EX-10.1 4 d764760dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

among

THE GEO GROUP, INC.,

GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.,

THE OTHER GRANTORS PARTY HERETO,

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent,

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties,

ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC,

as Initial Additional Collateral Agent,

ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC,

as the Initial Additional Authorized Representative,

and

each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto

dated as of April 18, 2024


ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.

 

Certain Defined Terms

     1  

SECTION 1.02.

 

Terms Generally

     7  

SECTION 1.03.

 

Impairments

     7  
ARTICLE II

 

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

 

SECTION 2.01.

 

Priority of Claims

     8  

SECTION 2.02.

 

Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens

     9  

SECTION 2.03.

 

No Interference; Payment Over

     10  

SECTION 2.04.

 

Automatic Release of Liens

     11  

SECTION 2.05.

 

Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings

     11  

SECTION 2.06.

 

Reinstatement

     12  

SECTION 2.07.

 

Insurance

     12  

SECTION 2.08.

 

Refinancings

     12  

SECTION 2.09.

 

Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection

     13  

SECTION 2.10.

 

Amendments to Security Documents

     13  
ARTICLE III

 

Existence and Amounts of Liens and First Lien Obligations

 

SECTION 3.01.

 

Determinations with Respect to Amounts of Liens and First Lien Obligations

     13  
ARTICLE IV

 

The Applicable Collateral Agent

 

SECTION 4.01.

 

Appointment and Authority

     14  

SECTION 4.02.

 

Rights as a First Lien Secured Party

     15  

SECTION 4.03.

 

Exculpatory Provisions

     15  

SECTION 4.04.

 

Reliance by Applicable Collateral Agent

     17  

SECTION 4.05.

 

Delegation of Duties

     17  

SECTION 4.06.

 

Non Reliance on Applicable Collateral Agent and Other First Lien Secured Parties

     17  
ARTICLE V

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01.

 

Notices

     17  

SECTION 5.02.

 

Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements

     18  

SECTION 5.03.

 

Parties in Interest

     19  

SECTION 5.04.

 

Survival of Agreement

     19  

SECTION 5.05.

 

Counterparts

     19  

 

i


SECTION 5.06.

  Severability      19  

SECTION 5.07.

  GOVERNING LAW      19  

SECTION 5.08.

  Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process      19  

SECTION 5.09.

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      20  

SECTION 5.10.

  Headings      20  

SECTION 5.11.

  Conflicts      20  

SECTION 5.12.

  Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights      20  

SECTION 5.13.

  Additional Senior Debt      20  

SECTION 5.14.

  Agent Capacities      22  

SECTION 5.15.

  Integration      22  

SECTION 5.16.

  Additional Grantors      23  

 

ii


FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of April 18, 2024 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), among THE GEO GROUP, INC., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC., a Florida corporation (“Corrections” and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the other Grantors (as defined below) from time to time party hereto, CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “Credit Agreement Collateral Agent”), CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as Authorized Representative (as defined below) for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as collateral agent for the Initial Additional Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “Initial Additional Collateral Agent”), ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “Initial Additional Authorized Representative”), and each additional Authorized Representative and additional Collateral Agent from time to time party hereto for the other Additional Secured Parties of the Series (as defined below) with respect to which it is acting in such capacity.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent (as defined below) (for itself and on behalf of the Credit Agreement Secured Parties), the Initial Additional Collateral Agent, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Additional Secured Parties) and each additional Authorized Representative and Collateral Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Additional Secured Parties of the applicable Series) agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement (as defined below) or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

“Additional Documents” means, with respect to the Initial Additional Obligations or any Series of Additional Senior Class Debt, the notes, indentures, credit agreements, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness and the Liens securing such Indebtedness, including the Initial Additional Documents and the Additional Security Documents and each other agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Additional Obligations or any Series of Additional Senior Class Debt; provided that, in each case, the Indebtedness thereunder (other than the Initial Additional Obligations) has been designated as Additional Obligations pursuant to Section 5.13.

“Additional Obligations” means, (i) with respect to the Initial Additional Documents, the Initial Additional Obligations, and (ii) with respect to any other Additional Documents, all amounts owing to any Additional Secured Party by any Grantor pursuant to the terms of any such Additional Document, including, without limitation, all amounts in respect of any principal, premium, interest (including any interest and fees accruing subsequent to the commencement of a Bankruptcy Case at the rate provided for in the respective Additional Document, whether or not such interest and fees are an allowed claim under any such proceeding or under applicable state, federal or foreign law), penalties, fees, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of the foregoing amounts.

 

1


“Additional Secured Party” means (i) with respect to the Initial Additional Obligations, the Initial Additional Secured Parties, and (ii) with respect any other Additional Obligations, the holders thereof and any Authorized Representative and any Collateral Agent with respect thereto.

“Additional Security Documents” means any collateral agreement, security agreement or any other document now existing or entered into after the date hereof that creates Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure the Additional Obligations.

“Additional Senior Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

“Additional Senior Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

“Additional Senior Class Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

“Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Credit Agreement” (including any successor as a result of any Refinancing or other modification of the Credit Agreement permitted by the terms thereof).

“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Applicable Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Administrative Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.

“Applicable Collateral Agent” means (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Collateral Agent for the Series of Additional Secured Parties represented by the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative at such time.

“Authorized Representative” means, at any time, (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations or the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of the Initial Additional Obligations or the Initial Additional Secured Parties, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, and (iii) in the case of any other Series of Additional Obligations or Additional Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the administrative agent, trustee or collateral agent named as authorized representative for such Series in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

“Bankruptcy Case” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

2


“Borrowers” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Collateral” means all assets and properties subject to Liens created pursuant to any Security Document to secure one or more Series of First Lien Obligations.

“Collateral Agent” means (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, (ii) in the case of the Initial Additional Obligations, the Initial Additional Collateral Agent and (iii) in the case of any other Series of Additional Obligations or Additional Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the “collateral agent” named for such Series in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

“Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Controlling Secured Parties” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) at any time when the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is the Applicable Collateral Agent, the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and (ii) at any other time, the Series of Secured Parties whose Authorized Representative is the Applicable Authorized Representative for such Shared Collateral.

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, among the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Citizens Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Credit Agreement Collateral Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Credit Agreement Collateral Agreement” means the Collateral Agreement (as defined in the Credit Agreement), as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Credit Agreement Collateral Documents” means the Credit Agreement Collateral Agreement, the other Security Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent for the purpose of securing any Credit Agreement Obligations.

“Credit Agreement Obligations” means all “Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

“Credit Agreement Secured Parties” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

“DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

“DIP Financing Liens” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

“DIP Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

“Discharge” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Series of First Lien Obligations, the date on which such Series of First Lien Obligations is no longer secured by its terms on an equal and ratable basis on such Shared Collateral as the other then existing First Lien Obligations (subject to Section 1.03) and all commitments under such Series of First Lien Obligations have terminated. The term “Discharged” shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

3


“Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Credit Agreement Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Credit Agreement Obligations with additional First Lien Obligations secured by such Shared Collateral under an Additional Document which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Credit Agreement so Refinanced) to each other Collateral Agent and each other Authorized Representative as the “Credit Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

“Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” (or similarly defined term) as defined in any Secured Credit Document.

“First Lien Obligations” means, collectively, (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations, (ii) the Initial Additional Obligations and (iii) each other Series of Additional Obligations.

“Grantors” means each Borrower, each of the Guarantors (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and each other Subsidiary of the Company that has granted, pledged or charged a security interest pursuant to any Security Document to secure any Series of First Lien Obligations. The Grantors existing on the date hereof are set forth in Annex I hereto.

“Impairment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.03.

“Initial Additional Agreement” means that certain Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors (as defined therein) and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee (as defined therein) and as Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Initial Additional Authorized Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Initial Additional Collateral Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Initial Additional Collateral Agreement” means that certain Collateral Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2024, among the Company, the other Grantors (as defined therein) and the Initial Additional Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Initial Additional Documents” means the Initial Additional Agreement, the debt securities issued thereunder, the Initial Additional Collateral Agreement and any other security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing the Indebtedness thereunder, and the Liens securing such Indebtedness.

“Initial Additional Obligations” means the “Obligations” as such term is defined in the Initial Additional Agreement.

“Initial Additional Secured Parties” means the Initial Additional Collateral Agent, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and the holders of the Initial Additional Obligations issued pursuant to the Initial Additional Agreement.

 

4


“Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

(1) any case or other proceeding commenced by or against the Company or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other case or proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Company or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Company or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other case or proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

“Intervening Creditor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

“Joinder Agreement” means a joinder to this Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II hereto required to be delivered by an Authorized Representative to each Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative pursuant to Section 5.13 hereof in order to establish an additional Series of Additional Obligations and add Additional Secured Parties hereunder.

“Lien” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof and any agreement to give any security interest).

“Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the Series of Additional Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series of First Lien Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided, however, that if there are two outstanding Series of Additional Obligations which have an equal outstanding principal amount, the Series of Additional Obligations with the earlier maturity date shall be considered to have the larger outstanding principal amount for purposes of this definition.

“New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

“Non-Controlling Authorized Representative” means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

5


“Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date” means, with respect to any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative, the date which is 180 days (throughout which 180-day period such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) and (ii) each Collateral Agent’s and each other Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative certifying that (x) such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Additional Obligations of the Series with respect to which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Additional Document; provided that such Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) shall be continuing at the end of such 180-day period; provided, further that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Administrative Agent or the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent (or the Applicable Authorized Representative or the Applicable Collateral Agent, as applicable) has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or (2) at any time any Grantor which has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

“Non-Controlling Secured Parties” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Secured Parties which are not Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral.

“Possessory or Controlled Collateral” means any Shared Collateral in the possession and/or control of a Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession and/or control thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction. Possessory or Controlled Collateral includes, without limitation, any Certificated Securities, Promissory Notes, Instruments and Chattel Paper, in each case, delivered to or in the possession of and/or under the control of any Collateral Agent under the terms of the Security Documents.

“Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

“Refinance” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace, restate or repay, or to issue or incur other indebtedness or enter into alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” have correlative meanings.

“Secured Credit Document” means (i) the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (ii) each Initial Additional Document, and (iii) each other Additional Document.

“Secured Parties” means (i) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and (ii) the Additional Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Additional Obligations.

“Security Documents” means, collectively, (i) the Credit Agreement Collateral Documents and (ii) the Additional Security Documents.

“Series” means (a) with respect to the Secured Parties, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), (ii) the Initial Additional Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), and (iii) the Additional Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof that are represented by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional Secured Parties) and (b) with respect to any First Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations, (ii) the Initial Additional Obligations, and (iii) the Additional Obligations incurred pursuant to any Additional Document, which pursuant to any Joinder Agreement are to be represented hereunder by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional Obligations).

 

6


“Shared Collateral” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series of First Lien Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives or Collateral Agents, in each case, on behalf of such holders) hold a valid and perfected security interest at such time. If more than two Series of First Lien Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of First Lien Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives or Collateral Agents, in each case, on behalf of such holders) hold a valid and perfected security interest in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series of First Lien Obligations that hold a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time.

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes to, this Agreement, (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented, reenacted or redesignated from time to time and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

SECTION 1.03. Impairments. It is the intention of the Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of First Lien Obligations of such Series (and not the Secured Parties of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations), (y) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series do not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of First Lien Obligations and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of First Lien Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or (ii) the existence of any Collateral for any other Series of First Lien Obligations that is not Shared Collateral (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, an “Impairment” of such Series); provided that the existence of a maximum claim with respect to any real property subject to a mortgage which applies to all First Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to be an Impairment of any Series of First Lien Obligations. In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such First Lien Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the First Lien Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to such First Lien Obligations or the Security Documents governing such First Lien Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

 

7


ARTICLE II

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

SECTION 2.01. Priority of Claims.

(a) Anything contained herein or in any of the Secured Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding (but subject to Section 1.03), if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Applicable Collateral Agent or any Secured Party is taking action to enforce rights or remedies in respect of any Shared Collateral, or any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Bankruptcy Case or Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of the Company or any other Grantor or any Secured Party receives any payment pursuant to any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any Shared Collateral, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Shared Collateral by any Secured Party on account of such enforcement of rights or remedies or received by the Applicable Collateral Agent or any Secured Party pursuant to any such intercreditor agreement with respect to such Shared Collateral and proceeds of any such distribution (subject, in the case of any such distribution, payments or proceeds, to the sentence immediately following) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Shared Collateral and all proceeds of any such payment or distribution being collectively referred to as “Proceeds”) shall be applied (i) FIRST, to the payment of all amounts owing to each Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative (in their respective capacity as such) on a ratable basis pursuant to the terms of any Secured Credit Document, (ii) SECOND, subject to Section 1.03, to the payment in full of the First Lien Obligations of each Series on a ratable basis, with such Proceeds to be applied to the First Lien Obligations of a given Series in accordance with the terms of the applicable Secured Credit Documents until the Discharge of each Series of outstanding First Lien Obligations, and (iii) THIRD, after payment of all First Lien Obligations in full, to the Company and the other Grantors or their successors or assigns, as their interests may appear, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. If, despite the provisions of this Section 2.01(a), any Secured Party shall receive any payment or other recovery in excess of its portion of payments on account of the First Lien Obligations to which it is then entitled in accordance with this Section 2.01(a), such Secured Party shall hold such payment or recovery in trust for the benefit of all Secured Parties for distribution in accordance with this Section 2.01(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Shared Collateral upon which a third party (other than a Secured Party) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to the security interest of any Series of First Lien Obligations but senior (as determined by appropriate legal proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Series of First Lien Obligations (such third party, an “Intervening Creditor”), the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds which are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of First Lien Obligations with respect to which such Impairment exists.

(b) It is acknowledged that the First Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then extant Secured Credit Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the Secured Parties of any Series.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of First Lien Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Secured Credit Documents or any defect or deficiencies in the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject to Section 1.03), each Secured Party hereby agrees that the Liens securing each Series of First Lien Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be of equal priority.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Security Documents to the contrary, Collateral consisting of cash and cash equivalents pledged to secure Credit Agreement Obligations consisting of reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit or otherwise held by the Administrative Agent or the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.16(f) or 2.18 of the Credit Agreement (or any equivalent successor provision) shall be applied as specified in the Credit Agreement and will not constitute Shared Collateral.

SECTION 2.02. Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens.

(a) Only the Applicable Collateral Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral). At any time when the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is the Applicable Collateral Agent, no Additional Secured Party shall, or shall instruct any Collateral Agent to, and neither the Initial Additional Collateral Agent nor any other Collateral Agent that is not the Applicable Collateral Agent shall, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any Additional Security Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent (or any Person authorized by it), acting in accordance with the Credit Agreement Collateral Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral at such time.

(b) With respect to any Shared Collateral at any time when the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is not the Applicable Collateral Agent, (i) the Applicable Collateral Agent shall act only on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative, (ii) the Applicable Collateral Agent shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative (or any other Secured Party other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) and (iii) no Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or other Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) shall, or shall instruct the Applicable Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any Security Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Applicable Collateral Agent, acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative and in accordance with the applicable Additional Security Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens securing each Series of First Lien Obligations, the Applicable Collateral Agent (acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative) may deal with the Shared Collateral as if such Applicable Collateral Agent had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or Non-Controlling Secured Party will contest, protest or object (or support any other Person in contesting, protesting or objecting) to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Applicable Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Controlling Secured Party or any other exercise by the Applicable Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Controlling Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral, or to cause the Applicable Collateral Agent to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to limit the rights and priorities of any Secured Party, the Applicable Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.

(d) Each of the Secured Parties agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) question or contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity, attachment or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the Secured Parties on all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative to enforce this Agreement.

SECTION 2.03. No Interference; Payment Over.

(a) Each Secured Party agrees that (i) it will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any First Lien Obligations of any Series or any Security Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any Security Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement, (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral by the Applicable Collateral Agent, (iii) except as provided in Section 2.02, it shall have no right to (A) direct the Applicable Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise, and shall not exercise, any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) consent to the exercise by the Applicable Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iv) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Applicable Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Applicable Collateral Agent, any Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Applicable Collateral Agent, such Applicable Authorized Representative or other Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (v) other than in the case of the Applicable Collateral Agent, it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshalled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vi) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Applicable Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

(b) Each Secured Party hereby agrees, that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any such Shared Collateral, pursuant to any Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement), at any time prior to the Discharge of each of the First Lien Obligations, then it shall hold such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the other Secured Parties and promptly transfer such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Applicable Collateral Agent, to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01.

 

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SECTION 2.04. Automatic Release of Liens.

(a) If at any time the Applicable Collateral Agent forecloses upon or otherwise exercises remedies against any Shared Collateral resulting in a sale or disposition thereof, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of each other Collateral Agent for the benefit of each Series of Secured Parties upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged as and when, but only to the extent, such Liens of the Applicable Collateral Agent on such Shared Collateral are released and discharged; provided that any proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01.

(b) Each Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative agrees, without recourse, representation or warranty, to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Applicable Collateral Agent to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral provided for in this Section.

(c) Each Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and Collateral Agent that is not the Applicable Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Secured Parties of the Series for whom it is acting, hereby irrevocably appoints the Applicable Collateral Agent and any officer or agent of the Applicable Collateral Agent, which appointment is coupled with an interest with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative, Collateral Agent or Secured Party, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral provided for in this Section 2.04.

SECTION 2.05. Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings.

(a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement and continuance of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The relative rights as to the Shared Collateral and proceeds thereof shall continue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of the petition therefor. All references herein to any Grantor shall include such Grantor as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Grantor.

 

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(b) If the Company and/or any other Grantor shall become subject to a case (a “Bankruptcy Case”) under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing (“DIP Financing”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “DIP Lenders”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, each Secured Party (other than any Controlling Secured Party or Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party) agrees that it will not raise, join or support any objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same (“DIP Financing Liens”) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, unless the Applicable Authorized Representative or the Applicable Collateral Agent (acting at the instruction of the Applicable Authorized Representative), shall also then oppose or object (or join in any objection) to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the First Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the Secured Parties of each Series retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-à-vis all the other Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (B) the Secured Parties of each Series are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, with the same priority vis-à-vis the Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as set forth in this Agreement, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the First Lien Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 2.01, and (D) if any Secured Parties are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 2.01; provided that the foregoing shall not limit the rights of the Secured Parties of each Series to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the Secured Parties of such Series or their Authorized Representative that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided, further, that the Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to or oppose (or support any other Person in objecting to or opposing) any other Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

(c) Each of the Secured Parties agrees that, in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, none of them will oppose any sale or disposition of any Shared Collateral of any Grantor that is supported by the Controlling Secured Parties or the Applicable Authorized Representative (at the direction of the Controlling Secured Parties); provided that any Proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01.

SECTION 2.06. Reinstatement. In the event that any of the First Lien Obligations shall be paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference or other avoidance action under the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such First Lien Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

SECTION 2.07. Insurance. As between the Secured Parties, the Applicable Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative) shall have the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.

SECTION 2.08. Refinancings. The First Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then existing Secured Credit Documents, be Refinanced (in whole or in part) or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the Refinancing transaction under any Secured Credit Document) of, any Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that the Authorized Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing indebtedness shall have executed a Joinder Agreement on behalf of the holders of such Refinancing indebtedness.

 

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SECTION 2.09. Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection.

(a) The Possessory or Controlled Collateral shall be delivered, or control therein shall be granted, as applicable, to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent agrees to hold, or control, as applicable, any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory or Controlled Collateral that is part of the Shared Collateral in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory or Controlled Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09; provided that at any time the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is not the Applicable Collateral Agent, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent shall, at the request of the Applicable Collateral Agent, promptly deliver all Possessory or Controlled Collateral to the Applicable Collateral Agent together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow the Applicable Collateral Agent to obtain control of such Possessory or Controlled Collateral). The Company shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify each Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by such Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer except for loss or damage suffered by such Collateral Agent as a result of its own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith (in each case, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment).

(b) The Applicable Collateral Agent agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory or Controlled Collateral, from time to time in its possession or control, as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory or Controlled Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09.

(c) The duties or responsibilities of each Collateral Agent under this Section 2.09 shall be limited solely to holding any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory or Controlled Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Secured Parties thereon.

SECTION 2.10. Amendments to Security Documents.

(a) Without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent with respect to each Series of First Lien Obligations, each Authorized Representative and Collateral Agent agrees that no Security Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement or modification, or the terms of any new Security Document, would be prohibited by, or would require any Grantor to act or refrain from acting in a manner that would violate, any of the terms of this Agreement.

(b) In making determinations required by this Section 2.10, each Collateral Agent may conclusively rely on an officer’s certificate of the Company stating that such amendment, supplements or other modifications are permitted by this Section 2.10.

ARTICLE III

Existence and Amounts of Liens and First Lien Obligations

SECTION 3.01. Determinations with Respect to Amounts of Liens and First Lien Obligations. Whenever a Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any First Lien Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by each other Authorized Representative or Collateral Agent and shall be entitled to make such determination or not make any determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if an Authorized Representative or a Collateral Agent shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Collateral Agent or Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Company.

 

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Each Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination.

ARTICLE IV

The Applicable Collateral Agent

SECTION 4.01. Appointment and Authority.

(a) Each of the Secured Parties hereby irrevocably appoints the Applicable Collateral Agent to act on its behalf hereunder and authorizes the Applicable Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Applicable Collateral Agent by the terms hereof, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Shared Collateral granted by the Company or any other Grantor to secure any of the First Lien Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Applicable Collateral Agent (and any sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Applicable Collateral Agent) shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IV and Article VIII (Agency) of the Credit Agreement and the equivalent provisions of any Additional Document as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, nothing herein shall be construed to impose any fiduciary or other duty on any Applicable Collateral Agent to any Non-Controlling Secured Party or give any Non-Controlling Secured Party the right to direct any Applicable Collateral Agent, except that each Applicable Collateral Agent shall be obligated to distribute proceeds of any Shared Collateral in accordance with Section 2.01.

(c) In furtherance of the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the Applicable Collateral Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the Security Documents, as applicable, pursuant to which the Applicable Collateral Agent is the collateral agent for such Shared Collateral, without regard to any rights to which the Non-Controlling Secured Parties would otherwise be entitled as a result of the First Lien Obligations held by such Non-Controlling Secured Parties. Without limiting the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party agrees that none of the Applicable Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the First Lien Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any First Lien Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Non-Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation.

 

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Each of the Secured Parties waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against any Collateral Agent or the Authorized Representative of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or any other Secured Party of any other Series arising out of (i) any actions which any Collateral Agent, Authorized Representative or the Secured Parties take or omit to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the First Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the Security Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the First Lien Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the First Lien Obligations, (ii) any election by any Applicable Authorized Representative or any holders of First Lien Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or (iii) subject to Section 2.05, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Applicable Collateral Agent shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Authorized Representative representing holders of First Lien Obligations for which such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.

SECTION 4.02. Rights as a First Lien Secured Party. The Person serving as the Applicable Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Secured Party under any Series of First Lien Obligations that it holds as any other Secured Party of such Series and may exercise the same as though it were not the Applicable Collateral Agent and the term “Secured Party” or “Secured Parties” or (as applicable) “Credit Agreement Secured Party,” “Credit Agreement Secured Parties,” “Additional Secured Party,” “Additional Secured Parties,” “Initial Additional Secured Party” or “Initial Additional Secured Parties” shall, if applicable and unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Applicable Collateral Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Applicable Collateral Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Secured Party.

SECTION 4.03. Exculpatory Provisions.

(a) It is understood and agreed that the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement and the provisions of Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement applicable to the Administrative Agent thereunder shall also apply to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent hereunder, including in its capacity as Applicable Collateral Agent, and in connection with the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent acting as the Applicable Collateral Agent hereunder the provisions of Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement shall be binding on all Secured Parties as if they were named as Lenders therein.

(b) The Applicable Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Security Documents to which it is a party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Applicable Collateral Agent:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other applicable Security Documents that the Applicable Collateral Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Authorized Representative; provided that the Applicable Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Applicable Collateral Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Secured Credit Document or applicable law; (iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other applicable Security Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Applicable Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

 

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(iv) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (A) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or (B) in the absence of its own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith (in each case, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment) or (C) in reliance on a certificate of an officer of the Company stating that such action is not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement (it being understood and agreed that the Applicable Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default under any Series of First Lien Obligations unless and until notice describing such Event of Default is given to the Applicable Collateral Agent by the Authorized Representative of such First Lien Obligations or the Company);

(v) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Secured Credit Document, (B) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (C) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any default, (D) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Secured Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by any Security Document, (E) the existence, value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for any Series of First Lien Obligations, or (F) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any Secured Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Applicable Collateral Agent;

(vi) shall not have any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of any kind or nature under any Additional Documents (but shall be entitled to all protections provided to the Applicable Collateral Agent therein);

(vii) with respect to the Credit Agreement or any Secured Credit Document, may conclusively assume that the relevant Grantors have complied with all of their obligations thereunder unless advised in writing by the Authorized Representative thereunder to the contrary specifically setting forth the alleged violation; and

(viii) may conclusively rely on any certificate of an officer of the Company provided pursuant hereto.

(c) Each Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Series for which it is acting acknowledges that, in addition to acting as the initial Applicable Collateral Agent, Citizens Bank, N.A. also serves as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, and each Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Series for which it is acting, hereby waives any right to make any objection or claim against Citizens Bank, N.A. (or any successor Applicable Collateral Agent or any of their respective counsel) based on any alleged conflict of interest or breach of duties arising from the Applicable Collateral Agent also serving as the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 4.04. Reliance by Applicable Collateral Agent. The Applicable Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Applicable Collateral Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Applicable Collateral Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may include, but shall not be limited to, counsel for any Grantor or counsel for the Applicable Authorized Representative), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

SECTION 4.05. Delegation of Duties. The Applicable Collateral Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Security Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Applicable Collateral Agent. The Applicable Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of the Applicable Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent.

SECTION 4.06. Non Reliance on Applicable Collateral Agent and Other First Lien Secured Parties. Each Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Series for which it is acting, acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Applicable Collateral Agent, any Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Secured Credit Documents. Each Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Series for which it is acting, also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Applicable Collateral Agent, any Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Secured Credit Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by electronic mail in PDF format, as follows:

(a) if to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, to it as set forth in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement;

(b) if to the Initial Additional Collateral Agent or the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, to it at Ankura Trust Company, LLC, 140 Sherman Street, Fourth Floor, Fairfield, CT 06824, Attention: Krista Gulalo, Email: Krista.Gulalo@ankura.com; (c) if to any other Additional Authorized Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement; and

 

17


(d) if to the Company and/or any of the Grantors, to the applicable party at The GEO Group, Inc., 4955 Technology Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, Attention: Shayn March, Telephone No.: 561-999-7526, Email: smarch@geogroup.com.

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by e-mail shall be deemed to have been given when sent and when receipt has been confirmed by telephone or reply email (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements.

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 5.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified (other than pursuant to any Joinder Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Authorized Representative and each Collateral Agent (and with respect to any such termination, waiver, amendment or modification which by the terms of this Agreement requires the Company’s consent or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of or otherwise materially adversely affects the Company or any other Grantor, with the consent of the Company).

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Secured Party, any Authorized Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 5.13 and upon such execution and delivery, such Authorized Representative and the Additional Secured Parties and Additional Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof and the terms of the Additional Security Documents applicable thereto.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any other Secured Party, the Collateral Agents and the Authorized Representatives then party hereto may effect amendments and modifications to this Agreement to the extent reasonably necessary to reflect any incurrence of any Additional Obligations or the Refinancing of any Series of First Lien Obligations in compliance with the Credit Agreement and the other Secured Credit Documents; provided that any Collateral Agent or Authorized Representative may condition its execution and delivery of any such amendment or modification upon receipt of a certificate of an authorized officer of the Company to the effect that such incurrence or Refinancing is permitted by each then extant Secured Credit Document.

 

18


SECTION 5.03. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Secured Parties, all of which are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.04. Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.05. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.06. Severability. To the extent permitted by law, any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 5.07. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 5.08. Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process. Each party hereto, on behalf of itself and, as applicable, the Secured Parties of the Series for which it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the Secured Credit Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees 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. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Secured Credit Document shall affect any right that any party hereto (or any Secured Party) may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Secured Credit Document against any Grantor or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction;

(b) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and/or the Secured Credit Documents in any court referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court;

(c) to the extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably waives personal service of any and all process upon it and agrees that all such service of process may be made by registered mail (return receipt requested) directed to it at its address for notices as provided in Section 5.01; (d) as it relates to any Grantor, such Grantor designates, appoints and empowers the Company as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and in respect of its property, service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any such action or proceeding and the Company hereby accepts such designation and appointment; and

 

19


(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

SECTION 5.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.09.

SECTION 5.10. Headings. Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.11. Conflicts. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the Security Documents or any of the other Secured Credit Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5.12. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are, and are intended solely, for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Company, any other Grantor or any creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, and none of the Company or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.01(b), 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 and Article V). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (other than Section 2.01(b), 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 and Article V), nothing in this Agreement is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Credit Agreement, the Initial Additional Agreement, any other Secured Credit Document, or permit the Company or any Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, to the extent such action or failure would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, the Credit Agreement, the Initial Additional Agreement or any other Secured Credit Document. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the First Lien Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

SECTION 5.13. Additional Senior Debt. To the extent, but only to the extent, permitted by the provisions of the then extant Secured Credit Documents, the Company may incur additional indebtedness after the date hereof that is permitted by the Credit Agreement and the Additional Documents then outstanding to be incurred and secured on an equal and ratable basis by the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations (such indebtedness referred to as “Additional Senior Class Debt”).

 

20


Any such Additional Senior Class Debt may be secured by a Lien and may be Guaranteed by the Grantors on a pari passu basis with the other First Lien Obligations, in each case under and pursuant to the Additional Documents, if and subject to the condition that the Authorized Representative of any such Additional Senior Class Debt (each, an “Additional Senior Class Debt Representative”), acting on behalf of the holders of such Additional Senior Class Debt and the collateral agent acting on behalf of the holders of such Additional Senior Class Debt (each, an “Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent”) (such Authorized Representative, Collateral Agent and holders in respect of any Additional Senior Class Debt being referred to as the “Additional Senior Class Debt Parties”), becomes a party to this Agreement as an Authorized Representative and a Collateral Agent, respectively, by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately succeeding paragraph.

In order for an Additional Senior Class Debt Representative and an Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent to become a party to this Agreement as an Authorized Representative and a Collateral Agent, respectively,

(i) such Additional Senior Class Debt Representative and Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent, each Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative and each Grantor shall have executed and delivered a Joinder Agreement (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Applicable Authorized Representative and such Additional Senior Class Debt Representative and Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent) pursuant to which such Additional Senior Class Debt Representative becomes an Authorized Representative hereunder, such Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent becomes a Collateral Agent hereunder and the Additional Senior Class Debt in respect of which such Additional Senior Class Debt Representative is the Authorized Representative and the related Additional Senior Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

(ii) the Company shall have (x) delivered to each Collateral Agent true and complete copies of each of the Additional Documents relating to such Additional Senior Class Debt, certified as being true and correct by an authorized officer of the Company, (y) identified in a certificate of an authorized officer of the Company the obligations to be designated as Additional Obligations and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof and (z) certified that the issuance or incurrence of such Additional Obligations and the Liens securing such Additional Obligations are permitted by the Credit Agreement, the Initial Additional Agreement and each then-extant Additional Document, as applicable;

(iii) all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the Security Documents necessary or desirable in the reasonable judgment of the Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent to confirm and perfect the Liens securing the relevant obligations relating to such Additional Senior Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordations shall have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent), and all fees and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid (or acceptable provisions to make such payments shall have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent); and

(iv) the Additional Documents, as applicable, relating to such Additional Senior Class Debt shall provide, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to each Collateral Agent, that each Additional Senior Class Debt Party with respect to such Additional Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Additional Senior Class Debt.

Each Authorized Representative acknowledges and agrees that, if provided for in the applicable Joinder Agreement, the Initial Additional Collateral Agent and/or the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent may continue to act in its capacity as Collateral Agent in respect of the then existing Authorized Representatives and the additional Authorized Representative party to such Joinder Agreement.

 

21


SECTION 5.14. Agent Capacities. Except as expressly provided herein or in the Credit Agreement Collateral Documents, Citizens Bank, N.A. is acting in the capacities of Administrative Agent and Credit Agreement Collateral Agent solely for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties. Except as expressly provided herein or in the Additional Security Documents, Ankura Trust Company, LLC is acting herein not in its individual capacity, but solely (i) in its capacity as an Initial Additional Collateral Agent for the Initial Additional Secured Parties and (ii) in its capacity as Initial Additional Authorized Representative, in each case at the direction of the holders of the Initial Additional Obligations, and shall not be responsible for (and makes no representation as to) the terms, validity or sufficiency of this Agreement. Whenever reference is made in this Agreement to any action by, consent, designation, specification, requirement or approval of, notice, request or other communication from, or other direction given or action to be undertaken or to be (or not to be) suffered or omitted by the Initial Additional Collateral Agent and/or the Initial Additional Authorized Representative or to any election, decision, opinion, acceptance, use of judgment, expression of satisfaction or other exercise of discretion, rights or remedies to be made (or not to be made) by the Initial Additional Collateral Agent and/or the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, it is understood that in all cases the Initial Additional Collateral Agent and/or the Initial Additional Authorized Representative shall be acting, giving, withholding, suffering, omitting, taking or otherwise undertaking and exercising the same (or shall not be undertaking and exercising the same) in accordance with the Initial Additional Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, none of the Administrative Agent, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent or the Initial Additional Collateral Agent shall have any duties or obligations in respect of any of the Collateral, all of such duties and obligations, if any, being subject to and governed by the applicable Secured Credit Documents. The rights, privileges, protections, indemnities and immunities afforded the Administrative Agent, Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative under their applicable Secured Credit Documents shall apply to such parties hereunder. Each of the Administrative Agent, Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such parties shall be read into this Agreement against such parties. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, nothing herein shall be construed to impose any fiduciary duty, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, on the Administrative Agent, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, the Initial Additional Collateral Agent or the Initial Additional Authorized Representative. In no event shall the Administrative Agent, Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, Initial Additional Collateral Agent or Initial Additional Authorized Representative be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether any such party has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action, nor shall any such party in any event be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, epidemics, pandemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services. The provisions of this Section 5.14 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.15. Integration. This Agreement together with the other Secured Credit Documents and the Security Documents represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Secured Credit Documents or the Security Documents.

 

22


SECTION 5.16. Additional Grantors. The Company agrees that, if any Subsidiary of the Company shall become a Grantor after the date hereof, it will promptly cause such Subsidiary to become party hereto by executing and delivering an instrument substantially in the form of Annex III. Upon such execution and delivery, such Subsidiary will become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Grantor herein. The execution and delivery of such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party hereunder and will be acknowledged by the Applicable Collateral Agent. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

23


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent
By:  

 

  Title: Managing Director
CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties
By:  

 

  Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Initial Additional Collateral Agent
By:  

/s/ Krista Gulalo

  Name: Krista Gulalo
  Title: Managing Director
ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Initial Additional Authorized Representative
By:  

/s/ Krista Gulalo

  Name: Krista Gulalo
  Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Lien Intercreditor Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the date first written above.

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Acting Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
ADAPPT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
ARAPAHOE COUNTY RESIDENTIAL CENTER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BEHAVIORAL ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BEHAVIORAL HOLDING CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


B.I. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BI MOBILE BREATH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING I CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
BROAD REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CCC WYOMING PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


CCMAS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CEC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CEC PARENT HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CEC STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


CIVIGENICS-TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CLEARSTREAM DEVELOPMENT LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES
By: Community Education Centers, Inc.,
  its Manager
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTERS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL COMPANIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


CORNELL CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT,
LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF RHODE ISLAND, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES PRISON FINANCE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CPT LIMITED PARTNER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
CPT OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
FENTON SECURITY, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO ACQUISITION II, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CARE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


GEO CPM, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CC3 INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO HOLDINGS I, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


GEO MCF LP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO OPERATIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO RE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Assistant
  Treasurer
GEO REENTRY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO REENTRY OF ALASKA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO REENTRY SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


GEO SECURE SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO TRANSPORT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
GEO/DEL/R/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GEO/DEL/T/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
HIGHPOINT INVESTMENTS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
MCF GP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


MINSEC COMPANIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
MINSEC TREATMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
MUNICIPAL CORRECTIONS FINANCE L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
PROTOCOL CRIMINAL JUSTICE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
PUBLIC PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT AND LEASING LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
SECON, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


WBP LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

  Name: Shayn P. March
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]


ANNEX I

Grantors

 

Entity

   Borrower or
Guarantor
   Jurisdiction of
Organization

1. The GEO Group, Inc.

   Borrower    Florida

2. GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc.

   Borrower    Florida

3. ADAPPT, LLC

   Guarantor    Pennsylvania

4. Arapahoe County Residential Center, LLC

   Guarantor    Colorado

5. B.I. Incorporated

   Guarantor    Colorado

6. Behavioral Acquisition Corp.

   Guarantor    Delaware

7. Behavioral Holding Corp.

   Guarantor    Delaware

8. BI Mobile Breath, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

9. BII Holding Corporation

   Guarantor    Delaware

10. BII Holding I Corporation

   Guarantor    Delaware

11. Broad Real Estate Holdings LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

12. CCC Wyoming Properties, LLC

   Guarantor    Wyoming

13. CCMAS LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

14. CEC Intermediate Holdings LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

15. CEC Parent Holdings LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

16. CEC Staffing Solutions LLC

   Guarantor    New Jersey

17. CiviGenics Management Services, LLC

   Guarantor    Massachusetts

18. CiviGenics, Inc.

   Guarantor    Massachusetts

19. CiviGenics-Texas, Inc.

   Guarantor    Texas

20. Clearstream Development LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

21. Community Alternatives

   Guarantor    Wyoming

22. Community Corrections, LLC

   Guarantor    Colorado

23. Community Education Centers, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

24. Cornell Companies, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

25. Cornell Corrections Management, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

26. Cornell Corrections of Rhode Island, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

27. Cornell Corrections of Texas, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

28. Correctional Properties Prison Finance LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

29. Correctional Properties, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

30. Correctional Services Corporation, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

31. Correctional Systems, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

32. CPT Limited Partner, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

33. CPT Operating Partnership L.P.

   Guarantor    Delaware

34. Fenton Security, LLC

   Guarantor    Pennsylvania

35. GEO Acquisition II, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

36. GEO Care LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

37. GEO CC3 Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

38. GEO CPM, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

39. GEO Holdings I, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

 

Annex I-1


Entity

   Borrower or
Guarantor
   Jurisdiction of
Organization

40. GEO International Services, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

41. GEO Leasing, LLC

   Guarantor    Florida

42. GEO Management Services, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

43. GEO MCF LP, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

44. GEO Operations, Inc.

   Guarantor    Florida

45. GEO RE Holdings LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

46. GEO Reentry of Alaska, Inc.

   Guarantor    Alaska

47. GEO Reentry Services, LLC

   Guarantor    Florida

48. GEO Reentry, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

49. GEO Secure Services, LLC

   Guarantor    Florida

50. GEO Transport, Inc.

   Guarantor    Florida

51. GEO/DEL/R/02, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

52. GEO/DEL/T/02, Inc.

   Guarantor    Delaware

53. Highpoint Investments LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

54. MCF GP, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

55. Minsec Companies, LLC

   Guarantor    Pennsylvania

56. Minsec Treatment, LLC

   Guarantor    Pennsylvania

57. Municipal Corrections Finance, L.P.

   Guarantor    Delaware

58. Protocol Criminal Justice, Inc.

   Guarantor    Florida

59. Public Properties Development and Leasing LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

60. SECON, Inc.

   Guarantor    Massachusetts

61. WBP Leasing, LLC

   Guarantor    Delaware

 

Annex I-2


ANNEX II

[FORM OF] JOINDER NO. [ ] dated as of [_______], 20[ ] (this “Joinder”), to the FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among THE GEO GROUP, INC., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC., a Florida corporation (“Corrections” and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the other Grantors (as defined therein) party thereto, CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative, and the additional Authorized Representatives and Collateral Agents from time to time party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Company to incur Additional Obligations and to secure such Additional Senior Class Debt with the liens and security interests created by the Additional Security Documents, the Additional Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of such Additional Senior Class Debt is required to become an Authorized Representative, the Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent in respect of such Additional Senior Class Debt is required to become a Collateral Agent and such Additional Senior Class Debt and the Additional Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by the Intercreditor Agreement. Section 5.13 of the Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Additional Senior Class Debt Representative may become an Authorized Representative, such Additional Senior Class Collateral Agent may become a Collateral Agent and such Additional Senior Class Debt and such Additional Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by the Intercreditor Agreement, upon the execution and delivery by the Additional Senior Debt Class Representative and the Additional Senior Class Collateral Agent of an instrument in the form of this Joinder and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 5.13 of the Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Additional Senior Class Debt Representative (the “New Representative”) and Additional Senior Class Debt Collateral Agent (the “New Collateral Agent”) is executing this Joinder in accordance with the requirements of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

Accordingly, each Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative and the New Representative and the New Collateral Agent agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.13 of the Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes an Authorized Representative under, the New Collateral Agent by its signature below becomes a Collateral Agent under, and the related Additional Senior Class Debt and Additional Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as an Authorized Representative and the New Collateral Agent had originally been named therein as a Collateral Agent, and each of the New Representative and the New Collateral Agent, on its behalf and on behalf of such Additional Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as Authorized Representative or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and to the Additional Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Additional Secured Parties. Each reference to an “Authorized Representative” and “Collateral Agent” in the Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative and the New Collateral Agent, respectively. The Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Annex II-1


SECTION 2. Each of the New Representative and the New Collateral Agent represents and warrants to each Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative and the other Secured Parties, individually, that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Joinder, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee] under [describe new debt facility], (ii) this Joinder has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms except as such enforceability may be limited by Bankruptcy Law and by general principles of equity, and (iii) the Additional Documents relating to such Additional Senior Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Joinder, the Additional Senior Class Debt Parties in respect of such Additional Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as Additional Secured Parties and the New Collateral Agent shall act as Collateral Agent for such Additional Secured Parties.

SECTION 3. This Joinder may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Joinder by facsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS JOINDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. To the extent permitted by law, any provision of this Joinder held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof and of the Intercreditor Agreement; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at its address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Company agrees to reimburse each Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Joinder, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case, as required by the applicable Secured Credit Documents.

 

Annex II-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the New Representative and the New Collateral Agent has duly executed this Joinder to the Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as
[   ] for the holders of [      ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address for notices:

 

 

attention of:           
Email:           
[NAME OF NEW COLLATERAL AGENT], as
[   ] for the holders of [      ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address for notices:

 

 

attention of:           
Email:           

 

Annex II-3


Acknowledged by:

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative,

 

  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:
  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:

ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC,

as Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative,

 

  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:

[OTHER AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES AND COLLATERAL AGENTS]

THE GEO GROUP, INC.,

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

  THE OTHER GRANTORS
  LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,
  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:

 

Annex II-4


Schedule I to the

Supplement to the

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Grantors

 

Schedule I-1


ANNEX III

[FORM OF] SUPPLEMENT NO. [•] dated as of [•], 20[•] (this “Supplement”), to the FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of April 18, 2024 (the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among THE GEO GROUP, INC., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC., a Florida corporation (“Corrections” and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the other Grantors (as defined therein) party thereto, CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative, and the additional Authorized Representatives and the additional Collateral Agents from time to time party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.

B. The Grantors have entered into the Intercreditor Agreement. Pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, certain newly acquired or organized subsidiaries of the Company are required to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement. Section 5.16 of the Intercreditor Agreement provides that such subsidiaries may become party to the Intercreditor Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned subsidiary (the “New Grantor”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Intercreditor Agreement.

Accordingly, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, the Initial Additional Collateral Agent, each other Authorized Representative, each other Collateral Agent and the New Grantor agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.16 of the Intercreditor Agreement, the New Grantor by its signature below becomes a Grantor under the Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, and the New Grantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Grantor thereunder. Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Grantor. The Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Grantor represents and warrants to each Authorized Representative, each Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that (a) it has the full power and authority to enter into this Supplement and (b) this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Bankruptcy Law and by general principles of equity.

SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Annex III-1


SECTION 6. To the extent permitted by law, any provision of this Supplement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof and of the Intercreditor Agreement; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Grantor shall be given to it in care of the Company as specified in the Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 8. The Company agrees to reimburse each Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case, as required by the applicable Secured Credit Documents.

[Signature pages follow]

 

Annex III-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Grantor, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and each other Authorized Representative have duly executed this Supplement to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW GRANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Annex III-3


Acknowledged by:

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative

 

  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:
  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:

ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC,

as Initial Additional Collateral Agent and Initial Additional Authorized Representative

 

  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:

[OTHER AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES AND COLLATERAL AGENTS]

 

Annex III-4

EX-10.2 5 d764760dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

The GEO Group, Inc.

$650,000,000 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029

$625,000,000 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

April 18, 2024

Citizens JMP Securities, LLC

As Representative of the several (i) Secured Notes Initial Purchasers and (ii) Unsecured Notes Initial Purchasers, each as listed in the corresponding table in Schedule I hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The GEO Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to (i) the several initial purchasers named in the corresponding table set out in Schedule I attached hereto (the “Secured Notes Initial Purchasers”), for whom you are acting as representative (the “Secured Notes Representative”), $650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Initial Secured Notes”) and (ii) the several initial purchasers named in the corresponding table set out in Schedule I attached hereto (the “Unsecured Notes Initial Purchasers” and, together with the Secured Notes Initial Purchasers, the “Initial Purchasers”), for whom you are acting as representative (the “Unsecured Notes Representative” and, together with the Secured Notes Representative, the “Representative”), $625,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Initial Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Initial Secured Notes, the “Initial Notes”), in each case upon the terms set forth in a purchase agreement, dated April 4, 2024 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined below) and the Representative.

The Initial Secured Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis (collectively, the “Initial Secured Note Guarantees”), jointly and severally by each of the subsidiary guarantors named in Schedule II attached hereto (the “Guarantors”) and any subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof that executes an additional guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Secured Notes Indenture (as defined below), and their respective successors and assigns.

The Initial Unsecured Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis (collectively, the “Initial Unsecured Note Guarantees” and, together with the Initial Secured Note Guarantees, the “Initial Guarantees”), jointly and severally by the Guarantors and any subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof that executes an additional guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Unsecured Notes Indenture (as defined below), and their respective successors and assigns. The Initial Notes and the related Initial Guarantees are collectively referred to herein as the “Initial Securities.”

The Initial Secured Notes and the Initial Secured Note Guarantees will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the “Secured Notes Indenture”) and the Initial Unsecured Notes and the Initial Unsecured Note Guarantees will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the “Unsecured Notes Indenture” and, together with the Secured Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”), each dated as of the date hereof, among the Company, the Guarantors and Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as trustee (in such capacity under the respective Indentures, the “Trustee”) and, in the case of the Secured Notes Indenture, also as collateral agent.

As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree with the Initial Purchasers, for the benefit of the holders of the Initial Securities (including, without limitation, the Initial Purchasers), the Exchange Securities (as defined in Section 1 hereof) and the Private Exchange Securities (as defined in Section 1 hereof) (collectively, the “Holders”), as follows:


1. Registered Exchange Offer. The Company shall, at its own cost, prepare and, not later than 120 days (or if the 120th day is not a business day, the first business day thereafter) after the date of original issue of the Initial Securities (the “Issue Date”), file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to a proposed offer (the “Registered Exchange Offer”) to the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof), who are not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Securities, an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities and related guarantees (collectively, the “Exchange Securities”) of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, issued under the applicable Indenture and identical in all material respects to the Initial Securities of the applicable series (except for the transfer restrictions relating to the Initial Securities and the provisions relating to the matters described in Section 6 hereof) that would be registered under the Securities Act. The Company shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act within 180 days (or if the 180th day is not a business day, the first business day thereafter) after the Issue Date, (ii) consummate such Registered Exchange Offer not later than 220 days (or if the 220th day is not a business day, the first business day thereafter) after the Issue Date and (iii) keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less than 20 business days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Registered Exchange Offer is delivered to the Holders (such period being called the “Exchange Offer Registration Period”).

If the Company effects the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company will be entitled to close the Registered Exchange Offer 30 days after the commencement thereof; provided that the Company has accepted all the Initial Securities theretofore validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Registered Exchange Offer.

As soon as practicable after the declaration of the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company shall commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities electing to exchange the Initial Securities for Exchange Securities of the applicable series (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business and has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Securities and is not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer) to trade such Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under the securities laws of the several states of the United States.

The Company acknowledges that, pursuant to current interpretations by the Commission’s staff of Section 5 of the Securities Act, in the absence of an applicable exemption therefrom, (i) each Holder which is a broker-dealer electing to exchange Initial Securities, acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, for Exchange Securities (an “Exchanging Dealer”), is required to deliver a prospectus containing the information set forth in (a) Annex A hereto on the cover, (b) Annex B hereto in the “Exchange Offer Procedures” section and the “Purpose of the Exchange Offer” section and (c) Annex C hereto in the “Plan of Distribution” section of such prospectus in connection with a sale of any such Exchange Securities received by such Exchanging Dealer pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and (ii) if the Initial Purchasers elect to sell Exchange Securities acquired in exchange for Initial Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, the Initial Purchasers will be required to deliver a prospectus containing the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in connection with such sale.

The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the prospectus contained therein, in order to permit such prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as such persons must comply with such requirements in order to resell the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that (i) in the case where such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto must be delivered by an Exchanging Dealer or the Initial Purchasers, such period shall be the lesser of 180 days and the date on which all Exchanging Dealers and the Initial Purchasers have sold all Exchange Securities held by them (unless such period is extended pursuant to Section 3(j) below) and (ii) the Company shall make such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Securities for a period of not less than 180 days (or such shorter period during which broker-dealers are required by law to deliver such prospectus) after the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

2


If, upon consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, any Initial Purchaser holds Initial Securities acquired by it as part of its initial distribution, the Company, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser upon the written request of such Initial Purchaser, in exchange (the “Private Exchange”) for the Initial Securities of the applicable series held by such Initial Purchaser, an equal principal amount of debt securities and related guarantees of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively issued under the applicable Indenture and identical in all material respects (including the existence of restrictions on transfer under the Securities Act and the securities laws of the several states of the United States, but excluding provisions relating to the matters described in Section 6 hereof) to the applicable series of Initial Securities (collectively, the “Private Exchange Securities”). The Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities are herein collectively called the “Securities.”

In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

(a) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Holder a copy of the prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

(b) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 business days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice thereof is delivered to the Holders;

(c) utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which may be the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee;

(d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last business day on which the Registered Exchange Offer shall remain open; and

(e) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable laws.

As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Company shall:

(x) accept for exchange all the Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange;

(y) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all the Initial Securities so accepted for exchange; and

(z) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder of the Initial Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities as the case may be, of the applicable series equal in principal amount to the Initial Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

Each Indenture provides that the Exchange Securities of the applicable series are not subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in such Indenture and that all the Securities of the applicable series vote and consent together on all matters as one class.

Interest on each Exchange Security and Private Exchange Security issued pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Initial Securities surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Initial Securities, from the Issue Date.

 

3


Each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be required to represent to the Company that at the time of the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Securities received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business, (ii) such Holder will have no arrangements or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act, (iii) such Holder is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company or if it is an affiliate, such Holder will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Exchange Securities and (v) if such Holder is a broker-dealer, that it will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company will ensure that (i) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) any prospectus forming part of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and any supplement to such prospectus, does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

2. Shelf Registration. If, (i) because of any applicable interpretations by the staff of the Commission, the Company is not permitted to effect a Registered Exchange Offer, as contemplated by Section 1 hereof, (ii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated within 220 days of the Issue Date, (iii) an Initial Purchaser so requests with respect to the Initial Securities (or the Private Exchange Securities) not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and held by it following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer or (iv) any Holder (other than an Exchanging Dealer) is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or, in the case of any Holder (other than an Exchanging Dealer) that participates in the Registered Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive freely tradeable Exchange Securities on the date of the exchange and any such Holder so requests, the Company shall take the following actions:

(a) The Company shall, at its cost, as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than 60 days after so required or requested pursuant to this Section 2) file with the Commission and thereafter shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective (unless it becomes effective automatically upon filing) a registration statement (the “Shelf Registration Statement” and, together with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a “Registration Statement”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act relating to the offer and sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement and Rule 415 under the Securities Act (hereinafter, the “Shelf Registration”), it being agreed that in the case the Company is filing a Shelf Registration Statement due to (x) the occurrence of the events specified in clause (i) of the introductory paragraph of this Section 2, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective on or prior to the 180th day after the Issue Date or (y) the occurrence of the events specified in clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the introductory paragraph of this Section 2, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective on or prior to the 60th day after the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed; provided, however, that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) shall be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder.

(b) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the prospectus included therein to be lawfully delivered by the Holders of the relevant Securities, for a period of two years (or for such longer period if extended pursuant to Section 3(j) below) from the Issue Date or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement (i) have been sold pursuant thereto or (ii) are no longer restricted securities (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or any successor rule thereof) and can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without any limitation under clauses (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144. The Company shall be deemed not to have used its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective during the requisite period if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such Securities during that period, unless such action is required by applicable law.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement, amendment or supplement, (i) to comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission and (ii) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 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.

3. Registration Procedures. To the extent applicable, in connection with any Shelf Registration contemplated by Section 2 hereof and any Registered Exchange Offer contemplated by Section 1 hereof, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) The Company shall (i) furnish to the Initial Purchasers, prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereof and each supplement, if any, to the prospectus included therein and, in the event that an Initial Purchaser (with respect to any portion of an unsold allotment from the original offering) is participating in the Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, the Company shall use its best efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as such Initial Purchaser reasonably may propose; (ii) in the case of a Registered Exchange Offer, include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the cover, in Annex B hereto in the “Exchange Offer Procedures” section and the “Purpose of the Exchange Offer” section and in Annex C hereto in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and include the information set forth in Annex D hereto in the Letter of Transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer; (iii) in the case of a Registered Exchange Offer, if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; (iv) in the case of a Registered Exchange Offer, include within the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the Commission with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”), whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the Commission or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers based upon advice of counsel (which may be in-house counsel), represent the prevailing views of the staff of the Commission; and (v) in the case of a Shelf Registration, include in the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement (or, if permitted by Commission Rule 430B(b), in a prospectus supplement that becomes a part thereof pursuant to Commission Rule 430B(f)) that is delivered to any Holder pursuant to Sections 3(d) and (f), the names of the Holders, who propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as selling security holders.

(b) The Company shall give written notice to the Initial Purchasers, the Holders and any Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the Company has received prior written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (which notice pursuant to clauses (ii)-(v) hereof shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes have been made):

(i) when the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

 

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(ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, of the issuance by the Commission of a notification of objection to the use of the form on which the Registration Statement has been filed, and of the happening of any event that causes the Company to become an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Commission Rule 405;

(iv) of the receipt by the Company or its legal counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and

(v) of the happening of any event that requires the Company to make changes in the Registration Statement or the prospectus in order that the Registration Statement or the prospectus does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

(c) The Company shall make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal, at the earliest possible time, of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

(d) The Company shall furnish to each Holder of Securities included within the coverage of any Shelf Registration, without charge, at least one copy of the Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or supplement thereto, including financial statements and schedules, if any, included therein, and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (other than those, if any, incorporated by reference). The Company shall not, without the prior consent of the Initial Purchasers, make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Commission Rule 405.

(e) The Company shall deliver to each Exchanging Dealer and each Initial Purchaser, and to any other Holder who so requests in writing, without charge, at least one copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, if any, included therein, and, if an Initial Purchaser or any such Holder so requests, all exhibits thereto (other than those incorporated by reference).

(f) The Company shall, during the period of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, deliver to each Holder of Securities included within the coverage of the Shelf Registration, without charge, as many copies of the prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) included in the Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such person may reasonably request in writing. The Company consents, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to the use of the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities covered by the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Shelf Registration Statement.

(g) The Company shall deliver to each Initial Purchaser, any Exchanging Dealer, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such other persons required to deliver a prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer, without charge, as many copies of the final prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such persons may reasonably request. The Company consents, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to the use of the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by the Initial Purchasers, if necessary, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such other persons required to deliver a prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer in connection with the offering and sale of the Exchange Securities covered by the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

(h) Prior to any public offering of the Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall register or qualify or cooperate with the Holders included therein and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such states of the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the offer and sale in such jurisdictions of the Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified as of the date hereof or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise subject as of the date hereof.

 

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(i) The Company shall cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Securities to be sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders may request a reasonable period of time prior to sales of the Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraphs (ii) through (v) of Section 3(b) above during the period for which the Company is required to maintain an effective Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly prepare and file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus and any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to Holders or purchasers of Securities, the prospectus will not contain an 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. If the Company notifies the Initial Purchasers, the Holders and any known Participating Broker-Dealer in accordance with paragraphs (ii) through (v) of Section 3(b) above to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes to the prospectus have been made, then the Initial Purchasers, the Holders and any such Participating Broker-Dealers shall suspend use of such prospectus, and the period of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement provided for in Section 2(b) above and the Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided for in Section 1 above shall each be extended by the number of days from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Initial Purchasers, the Holders and any known Participating Broker-Dealer shall have received such amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to this Section 3(j). During the period during which the Company is required to maintain an effective Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will prior to the three-year expiration of that Shelf Registration Statement file, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective (unless it becomes effective automatically upon filing) within a period that avoids any interruption in the ability of Holders of Securities covered by the expiring Shelf Registration Statement to make registered dispositions, a new registration statement relating to the Securities, which shall be deemed the “Shelf Registration Statement” for purposes of this Agreement.

(k) Not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, the Company will provide CUSIP numbers for the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be of each series, and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be of each series, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

(l) The Company will comply in all material respects with all rules and regulations of the Commission to the extent and so long as they are applicable to the Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, as the case may be, and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, will make generally available to its security holders (or otherwise provide in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act, no later than 45 days after the end of a 12-month period (or 90 days, if such period is a fiscal year) beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which statement shall cover such 12-month period.

(m) The Company shall cause each Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), in a timely manner, as required by the rules and regulations of the Commission and containing such changes, if any, as shall be necessary for such qualification. In the event that such qualification would require the appointment of a new trustee under such Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of such Indenture.

 

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(n) The Company may require each Holder of Securities to be sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of the Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, and the Company may exclude from such registration the Securities of any Holder that unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

(o) The Company shall enter into such customary agreements (including, if requested, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take all such other action, if any, as any Holder shall reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration.

(p) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company shall (i) make reasonably available for inspection by the Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Holders or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and (ii) cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors to supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, as shall be reasonably necessary to enable such persons, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided, however, that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall be coordinated on behalf of the Initial Purchasers by you and on behalf of the other parties, by one counsel designated by and on behalf of such other parties as described in Section 4 hereof.

(q) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company, if requested by any Holder of Securities covered thereby, shall cause (i) its counsel to deliver an opinion and updates thereof relating to the applicable series of Securities in customary form addressed to such Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof and dated, in the case of the initial opinion, the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion shall include, without limitation, the due incorporation and good standing of the Company; the qualification of the Company to transact business as a foreign corporation; the due authorization, execution and delivery of the relevant agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o) hereof; the due authorization, execution, authentication and issuance, and the validity and enforceability, of the applicable series of Securities; the absence of material legal or governmental proceedings involving the Company; the absence of governmental approvals required to be obtained in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the offering and sale of the applicable series of Securities, or any agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o) hereof; the compliance in all material respects, as to form of such Shelf Registration Statement and any documents incorporated by reference therein and of the applicable Indenture with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, respectively; and (A) as of the date of the opinion and as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or most recent post-effective amendment thereto, as the case may be, the absence, to the knowledge of such counsel, from such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, as then amended or supplemented, and from any documents incorporated by reference therein and (B) as of an applicable time identified by such Holders or managing underwriters, the absence, to the knowledge of such counsel, from such prospectus taken together with any other documents identified by such Holders or managing underwriters, in the case of (A) and (B), of an untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any such documents, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time that such documents were filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act); (ii) its officers to execute and deliver all customary documents and certificates and updates thereof reasonably requested by any underwriters of the applicable Securities; and (iii) its independent public accountants and the independent public accountants with respect to any other entity for which financial information is provided in the Shelf Registration Statement to provide to the selling Holders of the applicable series of Securities and any underwriter therefor a comfort letter in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, subject to receipt of appropriate documentation as contemplated, and only if permitted, by AS 6101, Letters for Underwriters and Certain Other Requesting Parties, or any successor provision thereto, established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

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(r) In the case of the Registered Exchange Offer, if requested by an Initial Purchaser or any known Participating Broker-Dealer, the Company shall cause (i) its counsel to deliver to the Initial Purchaser or such Participating Broker-Dealer a signed opinion covering the matters set forth in the opinions delivered pursuant to each of Sections 6(c), 6(d), 6(e) and 6(f) of the Purchase Agreement with such changes as are customary in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement and (ii) its independent public accountants and the independent public accountants with respect to any other entity for which financial information is provided in the Registration Statement to deliver to such Initial Purchaser or such Participating Broker-Dealer a comfort letter, in customary form, meeting the requirements as to the substance thereof as set forth in Section 6(a) of the Purchase Agreement, with appropriate date changes.

(s) If a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Initial Securities by Holders to the Company (or to such other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall mark, or cause to be marked, on the Initial Securities so exchanged that such Initial Securities are being canceled in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be; in no event shall the Initial Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

(t) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to (i) if the applicable series of Initial Securities have been rated prior to the initial sale of such Initial Securities, confirm such ratings will apply to the applicable series of Securities covered by a Registration Statement or (ii) if the applicable series of Initial Securities were not previously rated, cause the applicable series of Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the applicable series of Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or by the managing underwriters, if any.

(u) In the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act shall underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the Conduct Rules (the “Rules”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”)) thereof, whether as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, the Company will assist such broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of such Rules, including, without limitation, by (i) if such Rules, including Rule 5121, shall so require, engaging a “qualified independent underwriter” (as defined in Rule 5121) to participate in the preparation of the Registration Statement relating to such Securities, to exercise usual standards of due diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the offering contemplated by such Registration Statement is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent, to recommend the yield of such Securities, (ii) indemnifying any such qualified independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of underwriters provided in Section 5 hereof and (iii) providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of the Rules.

(v) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

4. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the performance of its obligations under Sections 1 through 3 hereof and shall also pay the reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of counsel for the Initial Purchasers, incurred in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, whether or not the Registered Exchange Offer is filed or becomes effective, and, in the event a Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed hereunder, shall bear or reimburse the Holders of the Securities covered thereby for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel designated by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of Initial Securities covered thereby to act as counsel for the Holders of the applicable series of Initial Securities in connection therewith.

5. Indemnification.

 

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(a) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, any Participating Broker-Dealer and their directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or such Participating Broker-Dealer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each Holder, any Participating Broker-Dealer, its directors and officers and such controlling persons are referred to collectively as the “Holder Indemnified Parties” and individually as a “Holder Indemnified Party”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, or any actions in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions relating to purchases and sales of the Securities) to which each Holder Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Commission Rule 433 (“Issuer FWP”), relating to a Shelf Registration, or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse, as incurred, the Holder Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or Issuer FWP relating to a Shelf Registration in reliance upon and in conformity with written information pertaining to such Holder and furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion therein and (ii) with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in any preliminary prospectus relating to a Shelf Registration Statement, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 5(a) shall not inure to the benefit of any Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased the Securities concerned, to the extent that a prospectus relating to such Securities was required to be delivered (including through satisfaction of the conditions of Commission Rule 172) by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer under the Securities Act in connection with such purchase and any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer results from the fact that there was not conveyed to such person, at or prior to the time of the sale of such Securities to such person, an amended or supplemented prospectus or, if permitted by Section 3(d), an Issuer FWP correcting such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission if the Company had previously furnished copies thereof to such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer; provided further, however, that this indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to such Holder Indemnified Party. The Company shall also indemnify the underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders if requested by such Holders.

(b) Each Holder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (the Company, its directors and officers and such controlling persons are referred to collectively as the “Company Indemnified Parties” and individually as a “Company Indemnified Party”; the Company Indemnified Parties, collectively with the Holder Indemnified Parties, the “Indemnified Parties” and each, an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities or any actions in respect thereof, to which each Company Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or Issuer FWP relating to a Shelf Registration, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information pertaining to such Holder and furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion therein; and, subject to the limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, shall reimburse, as incurred, the Company Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such Holder may otherwise have to such Company Indemnified Party.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under this Section 5 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including a governmental investigation), such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 5, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; provided that, the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have under subsection (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; provided, however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above.

 

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In case any such action is brought against any Indemnified Party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party (who shall not, except with the consent of the Indemnified Party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof the indemnifying party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Section 5 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the indemnifying party has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, (iii) the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any such action or claim effected without its consent, unless such indemnifying party has failed, upon request by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 5, to reimburse the Indemnified Party for legal expenses due pursuant to this Section 5 within thirty days of such request.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other from either the exchange of the Securities, pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, or the resale of Securities, pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or such Holder or such other Holder Indemnified Party, as the case may be, on the other, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this Section 5(d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this Section 5(d). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5(d), the Holders shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Holders from the sale of the Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds the amount of damages which such Holders have otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 5(d), each person, if any, who controls such Holder or such Participating Broker-Dealer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

11


(e) The agreements contained in this Section 5 shall survive the sale of the Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.

6. Additional Interest Under Certain Circumstances. (a) Additional interest (the “Additional Interest”) with respect to the applicable series of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be assessed as follows if any of the following events occur (each such event in clauses (i) through (v) below a “Registration Default”):

(i) on or prior to the 120th day after the date hereof, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been filed with the Commission;

(ii) the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to the terms of Section 2(a) above, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been filed with the Commission on or prior to the 60th day after the date on which the obligation to file such Shelf Registration Statement arises, determined in accordance with the terms of Section 2(a) above;

(iii) on or prior to the 180th day after the date hereof, neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor, if required in lieu thereof, the Shelf Registration Statement, is declared effective by the Commission;

(iv) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated on or before the 40th day after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective or, if obligated to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to the terms of Section 2 above (other than with respect to clause (i) thereunder), the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 60th day after the date of the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement; or

(v) after either the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement is declared (or becomes automatically) effective (A) such Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective or (B) such Registration Statement or the related prospectus ceases to be usable (except as permitted in paragraph (b) immediately below) in connection with resales of the applicable series of Transfer Restricted Securities during the periods specified herein because either (1) any event occurs as a result of which the related prospectus forming part of such Registration Statement would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, (2) it shall be necessary to amend such Registration Statement or supplement the related prospectus, to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder or (3) such Registration Statement is a Shelf Registration Statement that has expired before a replacement Shelf Registration Statement, if required, has become effective.

Additional Interest shall accrue on the applicable series of Transfer Restricted Securities over and above the interest set forth in the title of such applicable series of Securities from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to, but excluding, the date on which all such Registration Defaults have been cured, at a rate of $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the applicable series of Transfer Restricted Securities for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a Registration Default, and such rate will increase by an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the applicable series of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.0% per annum.

(b) A Registration Default referred to in Section 6(a)(v)(B) hereof shall be deemed not to have occurred and be continuing in relation to a Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus if (i) such Registration Default has occurred solely as a result of (x) the filing of a post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement to incorporate annual audited financial information with respect to the Company where such post-effective amendment is not yet effective and needs to be declared effective to permit Holders to use the related prospectus or (y) other material events with respect to the Company that would need to be described in such Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus and (ii) in the case of clause (y), the Company is proceeding promptly and in good faith to amend or supplement such Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus to describe such material events; provided, however, that in any case if such Registration Default occurs for a continuous period in excess of 30 days, Additional Interest shall be payable in accordance with the above paragraph from the day such Registration Default occurs until such Registration Default is cured.

 

12


(c) Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 6(a) above will be payable in cash on the regular interest payment dates with respect to the applicable series of Transfer Restricted Securities. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined on the basis of the number of days that Additional Interest is payable hereunder and on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(d) “Transfer Restricted Securities” means each Security until (i) the date on which such Transfer Restricted Security has been exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer for a freely transferable Exchange Security in the Registered Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer of an Initial Security for an Exchange Security, the date on which such Exchange Security is sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and (iii) the date on which such Transfer Restricted Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement.

7. Rules 144 and 144A. So long as it is required to do so by the Indentures, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rules 144 and 144A. The Company covenants that it will take such further action as any Holder of Initial Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Initial Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rules 144 and 144A (including the requirements of Rule 144A(d)(4)). The Company will provide a copy of this Agreement to prospective purchasers of Initial Securities identified to the Company by the Initial Purchasers upon written request. Upon the written request of any Holder of Initial Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.

8. Underwritten Registrations. If any of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such applicable series of Transfer Restricted Securities to be included in such offering.

No person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

9. Miscellaneous.

(a) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, except by the Company and the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consents.

(b) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, first-class mail, facsimile transmission, or air courier which guarantees overnight delivery:

 

13


(1) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company.

(2) if to the Representative:

Citizens JMP Securities, LLC

28 State Street

Floor 12

Boston, MA 02109

Attention: Fixed Income

(3) if to the Company or the Guarantors

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Facsimile: (561) 999-7663

Attention: Brian Evans

Shayn March

with a copy to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Suite 1100

Miami, Florida 33131

Facsimile: (305) 374-5095

Attention: Esther L. Moreno

William C. Arnhols

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged by recipient’s facsimile machine operator, if sent by facsimile transmission; and on the day delivered, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

(c) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and the Guarantors have not, as of the date hereof, entered into, nor shall they, on or after the date hereof, enter into, any agreement with respect to their securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders herein or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic image scan), each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

(f) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(g) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS OF SUCH STATE.

 

14


(h) Severability. If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(i) Securities Held by the Company. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of the applicable series of Securities is required hereunder, such series of Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (other than subsequent Holders of such series of Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such series of Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

15


If the foregoing is in accordance with the Initial Purchasers’ understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the Company and the Initial Purchasers in accordance with its terms.

Very truly yours,

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Acting Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
ADAPPT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
ARAPAHOE COUNTY RESIDENTIAL CENTER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BEHAVIORAL ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


BEHAVIORAL HOLDING CORP.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
B.I. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BI MOBILE BREATH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BII HOLDING I CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
BROAD REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CCC WYOMING PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


CCMAS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CEC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CEC PARENT HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CEC STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CIVIGENICS-TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


CLEARSTREAM DEVELOPMENT LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES
By:   Community Education Centers, Inc., its Manager
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTERS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL COMPANIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF RHODE ISLAND, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORNELL CORRECTIONS OF TEXAS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL PROPERTIES PRISON FINANCE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
CPT LIMITED PARTNER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


CPT OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
FENTON SECURITY, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO ACQUISITION II, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CARE LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CPM, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO CC3 INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO HOLDINGS I, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


GEO INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO MCF LP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO OPERATIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO RE HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
GEO REENTRY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


GEO REENTRY OF ALASKA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO REENTRY SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO SECURE SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO TRANSPORT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
GEO/DEL/R/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
GEO/DEL/T/02, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
HIGHPOINT INVESTMENTS LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


MCF GP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
MINSEC COMPANIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
MINSEC TREATMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
MUNICIPAL CORRECTIONS FINANCE L.P.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
PROTOCOL CRIMINAL JUSTICE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
PUBLIC PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT AND LEASING LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer
SECON, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


WBP LEASING, LLC
By:  

/s/ Shayn P. March

Name:   Shayn P. March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

Citizens JMP Securities, LLC

Acting on behalf of itself and as Representative

of the several Initial Purchasers named in the

attached Schedule I.

 

By:  

 

  Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


ANNEX A

to the Registration Rights Agreement

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in exchange for Initial Securities where such Initial Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date (as defined herein), it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”


ANNEX B

to the Registration Rights Agreement

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial Securities, where such Initial Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”


ANNEX C

to the Registration Rights Agreement

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in exchange for Initial Securities where such Initial Securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until [ ], 20[ ], all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.(1)

The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Securities by broker-dealers. Exchange Securities received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Securities. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Securities that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Securities and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Company will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all of its expenses incident to the Exchange Offer and the reasonable expenses of one counsel for the Holders other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the Holders (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

( ) In addition, the legend required by Item 502(b) of Regulation S-K will appear on the back cover page of the Exchange Offer prospectus.


ANNEX D

to the Registration Rights Agreement

 

   

CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

Name: ____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

___________________________________________

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.


SCHEDULE I

to the Registration Rights Agreement

[***]


LIST OF COMPANY GUARANTORS

 

    

Name of Guarantor

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

or Organization

1.    ADAPPT, LLC    Pennsylvania
2.    Arapahoe County Residential Center, LLC    Colorado
3.    B.I. Incorporated    Colorado
4.    Behavioral Acquisition Corp.    Delaware
5.    Behavioral Holding Corp.    Delaware
6.    BI Mobile Breath, Inc.    Delaware
7.    BII Holding Corporation    Delaware
8.    BII Holding I Corporation    Delaware
9.    Broad Real Estate Holdings LLC    Delaware
10.    CCC Wyoming Properties, LLC    Wyoming
11.    CCMAS LLC    Delaware
12.    CEC Intermediate Holdings LLC    Delaware
13.    CEC Parent Holdings LLC    Delaware
14.    CEC Staffing Solutions LLC    New Jersey
15.    Civigenics Management Services, LLC    Massachusetts
16.    Civigenics, Inc.    Massachusetts
17.    CiviGenics-Texas, Inc.    Texas
18.    Clearstream Development LLC    Delaware
19.    Community Alternatives    Wyoming
20.    Community Corrections, LLC    Colorado
21.    Community Education Centers, Inc.    Delaware
22.    Cornell Companies, Inc.    Delaware
23.    Cornell Corrections Management, LLC    Delaware
24.    Cornell Corrections of Rhode Island, Inc.    Delaware


    

Name of Guarantor

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

or Organization

25.    Cornell Corrections of Texas, Inc.    Delaware
26.    Correctional Properties Prison Finance, LLC    Delaware
27.    Correctional Properties, LLC    Delaware
28.    Correctional Services Corporation, LLC    Delaware
29.    Correctional Systems, LLC    Delaware
30.    CPT Limited Partner, LLC    Delaware
31.    CPT Operating Partnership L.P.    Delaware
32.    Fenton Security, LLC    Pennsylvania
33.    GEO Acquisition II, Inc.    Delaware
34.    GEO Care LLC    Delaware
35.    GEO CC3 Inc.    Delaware
36.    GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc.    Florida
37.    GEO CPM, Inc.    Delaware
38.    GEO Holdings I, Inc.    Delaware
39.    GEO International Services, Inc.    Delaware
40.    GEO Leasing, LLC    Florida
41.    GEO Management Services, Inc.    Delaware
42.    GEO MCF LP, LLC    Delaware
43.    GEO Operations, Inc.    Florida
44.    GEO RE Holdings LLC    Delaware
45.    GEO Reentry of Alaska, Inc.    Alaska
46.    GEO Reentry Services, LLC    Florida
47.    GEO Reentry, Inc.    Delaware
48.    GEO Secure Services, LLC    Florida
49.    GEO Transport, Inc.    Florida


    

Name of Guarantor

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

or Organization

50.    GEO/DEL/R/02, Inc.    Delaware
51.    GEO/DEL/T/02, Inc.    Delaware
52.    Highpoint Investments LLC    Delaware
53.    MCF GP, LLC    Delaware
54.    Minsec Companies, LLC    Pennsylvania
55.    Minsec Treatment, LLC    Pennsylvania
56.    Municipal Corrections Finance, L.P.    Delaware
57.    Protocol Criminal Justice, Inc.    Florida
58.    Public Properties Development and Leasing LLC    Delaware
59.    SECON, Inc.    Massachusetts
60.    WBP Leasing, LLC    Delaware

 

34

EX-10.3 6 d764760dex103.htm EX-10.3 EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

April 18, 2024,

among

THE GEO GROUP, INC.

and

GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.,

as Borrowers,

the Lenders referred to herein

and

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

TCBI SECURITIES, INC.,

and

SYNOVUS SECURITIES, INC.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1  

Section 1.01

  Defined Terms      1  

Section 1.02

  Classification of Loans and Borrowings      46  

Section 1.03

  Terms Generally      46  

Section 1.04

  Accounting Terms; GAAP      47  

Section 1.05

  Currencies; Currency Equivalents      47  

Section 1.06

  Rates      47  

Section 1.07

  Letter of Credit Amounts      48  

Section 1.08

  Divisions      48  

ARTICLE II THE CREDITS

     48  

Section 2.01

  The Commitments; Revolving Credit Loans; Term Loans; Incremental Term Loans      48  

Section 2.02

  Loans and Borrowings      52  

Section 2.03

  Requests for Borrowings      53  

Section 2.04

  Swingline Loans      54  

Section 2.05

  Letters of Credit      55  

Section 2.06

  Funding of Borrowings      62  

Section 2.07

  Interest Elections      63  

Section 2.08

  Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Increase of Revolving Credit Commitments      64  

Section 2.09

  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt      66  

Section 2.10

  Prepayment of Loans      68  

Section 2.11

  Fees      73  

Section 2.12

  Interest      74  

Section 2.13

  Increased Costs      76  

Section 2.14

  Break Funding Payments      77  

Section 2.15

  Taxes      78  

Section 2.16

  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs      82  

Section 2.17

  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      84  

Section 2.18

  Defaulting Lenders      85  

Section 2.19

  Illegality      88  

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
Section 2.20  

GEO as Borrowers’ Representative

     88  
Section 2.21  

Joint and Several Obligations

     88  
Section 2.22  

Refinancing Facilities

     90  
Section 2.23  

Cashless Settlement

     94  
Section 2.24  

Benchmark Replacement Setting

     94  

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     96  
Section 3.01  

Organization; Powers and Qualifications

     96  
Section 3.02  

Authorization; Enforceability

     96  
Section 3.03  

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

     96  
Section 3.04  

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

     97  
Section 3.05  

Properties

     97  
Section 3.06  

Litigation

     97  
Section 3.07  

Environmental Matters

     98  
Section 3.08  

Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Defaults

     98  
Section 3.09  

Government Regulation

     98  
Section 3.10  

Tax Returns and Payments

     98  
Section 3.11  

ERISA

     98  
Section 3.12  

Disclosure

     99  
Section 3.13  

Margin Stock

     99  
Section 3.14  

Agreements and Liens

     99  
Section 3.15  

Material Contracts

     99  
Section 3.16  

Subsidiaries and Investments

     99  
Section 3.17  

Real Property

     100  
Section 3.18  

Solvency

     100  
Section 3.19  

Employee Relations

     100  
Section 3.20  

Burdensome Provisions

     100  
Section 3.21  

Corporation

     101  
Section 3.22  

Anti-Terrorism Laws and Sanctions; AML Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws

     101  
Section 3.23  

Affected Financial Institution

     101  

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS

     101  
Section 4.01  

Effective Date

     101  
Section 4.02  

Each Extension of Credit

     104  

ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     105  
Section 5.01  

Financial Statements and Other Information

     105  
Section 5.02  

Notices of Material Events

     107  
Section 5.03  

Existence; Conduct of Business

     108  
Section 5.04  

Payment of Obligations

     108  
Section 5.05  

Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

     108  
Section 5.06  

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     109  
Section 5.07  

Compliance with Laws

     109  
Section 5.08  

Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit

     109  
Section 5.09  

Additional Subsidiaries; Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     110  
Section 5.10  

New Real Property Collateral

     111  
Section 5.11  

Further Assurances; Certain Real Estate Deliverables

     114  
Section 5.12  

Fiscal Year

     117  
Section 5.13  

Maintenance of Ratings

     117  
Section 5.14  

Post-Closing Matters

     117  

ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     117  
Section 6.01  

Indebtedness

     117  
Section 6.02  

Liens

     119  
Section 6.03  

Fundamental Changes

     120  
Section 6.04  

Investments

     122  
Section 6.05  

Restricted Payments

     124  
Section 6.06  

Transactions with Affiliates

     125  
Section 6.07  

Restrictive Agreements

     126  
Section 6.08  

Modifications of Certain Documents

     126  
Section 6.09  

Certain Financial Covenants

     126  
Section 6.10  

Limitations on Exchange and Issuance of Equity Interests

     127  

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
Section 6.11  

Nature of Business

     127  
Section 6.12  

Impairment of Security Interest

     127  
Section 6.13  

Payments and Prepayments of Subordinated Debt

     127  
Section 6.14  

[Reserved]

     128  
Section 6.15  

REIT Status

     128  

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     128  
Section 7.01  

Events of Default

     128  
Section 7.02  

Application of Payments

     131  

ARTICLE VIII AGENCY

     132  
Section 8.01  

Administrative Agent

     132  
Section 8.02  

Rights as a Lender

     133  
Section 8.03  

Exculpatory Provisions

     133  
Section 8.04  

Reliance by Administrative Agent

     134  
Section 8.05  

Delegation of Duties

     135  
Section 8.06  

Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent

     135  
Section 8.07  

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders

     136  
Section 8.08  

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

     137  
Section 8.09  

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding

     138  
Section 8.10  

Hedge Counterparties and Cash Management Banks

     139  
Section 8.11  

Lead Arrangers

     140  
Section 8.12  

Erroneous Payments

     140  

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     142  
Section 9.01  

Notices

     142  
Section 9.02  

Waivers; Amendments

     145  
Section 9.03  

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     149  
Section 9.04  

Successors and Assigns

     150  
Section 9.05  

Survival

     156  
Section 9.06  

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Lender Addendum

     156  
Section 9.07  

Severability

     157  

 

-iv-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
Section 9.08  

Right of Setoff

     157  
Section 9.09  

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

     158  
Section 9.10  

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     158  
Section 9.11  

Headings

     159  
Section 9.12  

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality

     159  
Section 9.13  

USA PATRIOT Act

     160  
Section 9.14  

Interest Rate Limitation

     160  
Section 9.15  

Judgment Currency

     160  
Section 9.16  

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions

     161  
Section 9.17  

Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs

     161  
Section 9.18  

Prepayment Premium

     162  
Section 9.19  

Original Issue Discount Legend

     163  

 

-v-


SCHEDULE I    – Disclosure Supplement
EXHIBIT A-1    – Form of Revolving Credit Loan Note
EXHIBIT A-2    – Form of Term Loan Note
EXHIBIT B    – Form of Assignment and Assumption
EXHIBIT C    – Form of Joinder Agreement
EXHIBIT D    – Form of Lender Addendum
EXHIBIT E    – Form of Borrowing Request
EXHIBIT F    – Form of Interest Election Request


CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of April 18, 2024, among THE GEO GROUP, INC., a Florida corporation (“GEO”), GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC., a Florida corporation (“Corrections” and, together with GEO, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders referred to herein and CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for such Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders make loans and other financial accommodations to the Borrowers as more fully set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

“2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes” means the 6.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2026, issued by Corrections.

“2026 Senior Notes” means the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2026, issued by GEO.

“2028 Private Second Lien Notes” means the 9.500% senior secured second lien notes due 2028, issued by GEO in the aggregate principal amount of $286,521,000.

“2028 Public Second Lien Notes” means the 10.500% senior secured second lien notes due 2028, issued by GEO in the aggregate principal amount of $239,100,000.

“2029 Senior Notes” means the 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2029, issued by GEO.

“2029 Senior Notes Indenture” means the indenture under which the 2029 Senior Notes are issued.

“2031 Senior Notes” means the 10.250% Senior Notes due 2031, issued by GEO.

“2031 Senior Notes Indenture” means the indenture under which the 2031 Senior Notes are issued.

“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.


“ABR Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Term SOFR”.

“Acquired Business” means any Facility, Person or business (including, in each case, any collection of assets comprising such Facility, Person or business) that is the subject of a Permitted Acquisition or any other acquisition permitted by Section 6.04.

“Additional Mortgages” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Mortgages”.

“Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any period, (a) EBITDA for such period minus (b) the amount, if a positive number, by which the amount of such EBITDA attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Other Consolidated Persons (including any public-private partnership of GEO or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person) minus Non-Recourse Debt Service of Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Other Consolidated Persons (including any public-private partnership of GEO or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person) exceeds 20% of such EBITDA.

“Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Preamble hereof.

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

“Aggregate Credit Facilities Amount” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of the Term Loan Exposure and the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

“Agreed Foreign Currency” means, in respect of any Letter of Credit requested to be issued by any Issuing Lender, any Foreign Currency approved by the applicable Issuing Lender (in its sole discretion).

“Agreement” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Preamble hereof.

“All-In-Yield” means, as of any date of determination, and with respect to any Indebtedness, the yield to maturity, in each case, based on the interest rate applicable to such Indebtedness on such date (including any floor but only to the extent any increase in the interest rate floor applicable to such Indebtedness on such date would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect thereunder, and in such case, the interest rate floor (but not the interest rate margin) applicable to such Indebtedness on such date shall be increased to the extent of such differential between interest rate floors) and giving effect to all upfront or similar fees (including original issue discount where the amount of such discount is equated to interest based on an assumed four-year life to maturity or, if the actual maturity date falls earlier than four years, the lesser number of years) payable with respect to such Indebtedness (but excluding such upfront or similar fees to the extent they constitute commitment, arrangement, structuring, underwriting, agency, amendment or similar fees that are not generally distributed to all Lenders), and without taking into account any fluctuations in Term SOFR.

 

2


“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, for any Borrowing, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day, plus 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or Term SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or Term SOFR, as the case may be.

“AML Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to any Lender or GEO or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to anti-money laundering.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to GEO or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

“Applicable ECF Percentage” means, with respect to the prepayment required by Section 2.10(b)(iii) with respect to any fiscal quarter, (x) for each such fiscal quarter ending prior to September 30, 2025, 75% and (y) for each such fiscal quarter ending on or after September 30, 2025, (i) if the Total Leverage Ratio (prior to giving effect to the applicable prepayment) as of the end of such fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 3.50:1.00, 75%, (ii) if the Total Leverage Ratio (prior to giving effect to the applicable prepayment) as of the end of such fiscal quarter is less than 3.50:1.00 and greater than or equal to 2.50:1.00, 50% or (iii) if the Total Leverage Ratio (prior to giving effect to the applicable prepayment) as of the end of such fiscal quarter is less than 2.50:1.00, 25%.

“Applicable Percentage” means (a) with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender for purposes of (x) Section 2.04 or 2.05, the percentage of the total Available Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Available Revolving Credit Commitment, or (y) in respect of any indemnity claim under Section 9.03(c) arising out of an action or omission of the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Lender under this Agreement, the percentage of the total Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and (b) with respect to any Lender in respect of any indemnity claim under Section 9.03(c) arising out of an action or omission of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the percentage of the total Commitments or Loans of all Classes hereunder represented by the aggregate amount of such Lender’s Commitments or Loans of all Classes hereunder; provided that in the case of Section 2.18 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Revolving Credit Commitments have expired or been terminated and/or the Loans have been paid in full, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Loans most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

 

3


“Applicable Period” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Applicable Rate”.

“Applicable Rate” means, (a) for the Term Loans, (i) in the case of SOFR Loans, 5.25% per annum and (ii) in the case of ABR Loans, 4.25% per annum, (b) for Incremental Term Loans of any Series, such rate or rates of interest as shall be agreed upon at the time the Incremental Term Loan Commitments of such Series are established, and (c) for Revolving Credit Loans and commitment fees, the applicable rate per annum set forth below, based upon the Total Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination date:

 

Category

  

Total

Leverage Ratio

   ABR
Applicable Rate
    SOFR
Applicable Rate
    Commitment
Fee Rate
 

1

   >5.50 to 1.00      2.75     3.75     0.50

2

   >4.50 to 1.00 and ≤5.50 to 1.00      2.50     3.50     0.50

3

   >3.50 to 1.00 and ≤4.50 to 1.00      2.25     3.25     0.375

4

   >2.50 to 1.00 and ≤3.50 to 1.00      2.00     3.00     0.30

5

   ≤2.50 to 1.00      1.75     2.75     0.25

For purposes of the foregoing, (i) the Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of GEO based upon GEO’s consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable and (ii) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date 10 Business Days after delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided that (x) the Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 3 from the Effective Date through the date 10 Business Days after the first delivery to the Administrative Agent of GEO’s consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, with respect to a fiscal quarter or year, as applicable, ending on or after the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date and indicating a change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of such fiscal quarter or year and (y) the Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 1 (A) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (B) if GEO fails to timely deliver the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered. In the event that the information regarding the Total Leverage Ratio contained in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) is shown to be inaccurate, and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Rate for any period (“Applicable Period”) than the Applicable Rate actually applied for such Applicable Period, then (i) the Borrowers shall immediately deliver to the Administrative Agent updated financial statements for such Applicable Period, (ii) the Applicable Rate shall be determined as if the correct Applicable Rate (as set forth in the table above) were applicable for such Applicable Period, and (iii) the Borrowers shall immediately deliver to the Administrative Agent full payment in respect of the accrued additional interest as a result of such increased Applicable Rate for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by the Administrative Agent to the affected Obligations.

 

4


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(f).

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

“Assignment Agreement” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Collateral Agreement.

“Assignment and Assumption” means an Assignment and Assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Assuming Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Auction” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.04(b).

“Auction Manager” means (a) the Administrative Agent in its capacity as Auction Manager or (b) any other financial institution or advisor agreed by GEO and the Administrative Agent (whether or not an affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any purchases pursuant to Section 9.04(b); provided that the Borrowers or GEO shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Manager without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it be understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Manager).

“Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.05(b)(ii).

“Available Amount” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6.05(b).

“Available Revolving Credit Commitment” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, minus (b) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure at such time.

“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (a) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement or (b) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.24(d).

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

 

5


“Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time that is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

“Bank Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person of which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a Subsidiary.

“Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory administrator, provisional liquidator, receiver and manager, controller or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment.

“Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” shall mean the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.24(a).

“Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:

(a) Daily Simple SOFR; or

(b) the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

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“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means a date and time determined by the Administrative Agent, which date shall be no later than the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

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(b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(c) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.24 and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.24.

“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.01(d).

“Borrowers” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Preamble hereof.

“Borrowing” means (a) all ABR Loans of the same Class, (b) all SOFR Loans of the same Class that have the same Interest Period or (c) a Swingline Loan.

“Borrowing Request” means a request by GEO for a Borrowing in substantially the form of Exhibit E (or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent) in accordance with Section 2.03.

“Business Day” means any day (a) that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed, (b) if such day relates to a borrowing, a continuation or conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a SOFR Borrowing, or to a notice by a Borrower with respect to any such borrowing, payment, prepayment, continuation, conversion, or Interest Period, that is also a U.S.

 

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Government Securities Business Day, and (c) if such day relates to an issuance, borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, or the Interest Period for, as applicable, any Letter of Credit denominated in any Agreed Foreign Currency, or to a notice by a Borrower with respect to any such issuance, borrowing, continuation, payment, prepayment or Interest Period, that is also a day (x) on which commercial banks settle payments in the Principal Financial Center for such Agreed Foreign Currency and (y) that is not a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other government action to remain closed in such Principal Financial Center.

“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, with respect to any Person, any expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of any fixed or capital asset that, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized and reflected in the property, plant and equipment or similar fixed asset accounts in the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, normal replacements and maintenance which are properly charged under GAAP to current operations); provided, that Capital Expenditures shall not include any expenditure (i) for replacements or substitutions for fixed assets, capital assets or equipment to the extent made with Net Available Proceeds invested or reinvested pursuant to Section 2.10(b)(i) in respect of any Casualty Event, (ii) for any asset acquired in exchange for an existing asset (but only to the extent of the value of such existing asset), (iii) funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of GEO or its Subsidiaries or the net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of GEO or its Subsidiaries or (iv) reimbursed by, or covered by an irrevocable reimbursement obligation from, a third party.

“Capital Lease” means any lease of any property by GEO, any of its Subsidiaries or any Other Consolidated Person, as lessee, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a consolidated balance sheet of GEO, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons.

“Cash Management Bank” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Cash Management Obligations” in this Section 1.01.

“Cash Management Obligations” means the monetary obligations owed by any Borrower or any Guarantor to any Person that is a Lender, the Administrative Agent, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing at the time such arrangements were entered into (solely in such capacity and with respect to such obligations, a “Cash Management Bank”) in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository, credit card, debit card, purchase card and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds, in each case, to the extent designated by GEO and such Person as “Cash Management Obligations” in writing to the Administrative Agent; provided that no Person shall constitute a “Cash Management Bank” (x) unless such Person shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and GEO a written consent of such Person (in its capacity as a Cash Management Bank) to the termination of all Security Documents and the release of all Liens thereunder upon the occurrence of the Release Date or (y) if at the time the relevant arrangements were entered into such person was a Defaulting Lender or an Affiliate of a Defaulting Lender, and the monetary obligations owed pursuant to such arrangements shall not constitute a “Cash Management Obligations”.

“Casualty Event” means, with respect to any property of any Person, any loss of or damage to, or any condemnation or other taking of, such property for which such Person receives insurance proceeds, or proceeds of a condemnation award or other compensation.

 

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“Change in Control” means: (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of shares representing more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of GEO; (b) the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of GEO over a period of shorter than or equal to 24 months by Persons who were neither (i) nominated or approved by the board of directors of GEO nor (ii) appointed or approved by directors so nominated; (c) the occurrence of any “change in control” as defined in any Senior Note Indenture evidencing Indebtedness in excess of $50,000,000 in outstanding principal amount and obligating GEO (at the option of one or more holders of such Indebtedness or otherwise) to repurchase, redeem or repay all or any part of such Indebtedness; or (d) except to the extent GEO merges with and into Corrections (subject to the provisions of Section 6.03(a) hereof), (x) the failure of GEO at any time to own, directly or indirectly (through one or more wholly-owned Guarantors), 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Corrections or any successor to Corrections or (y) the failure of GEO at any time to Control Corrections or any successor to Corrections.

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Effective Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

“Charges” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.14.

“Citizens Bank” means Citizens Bank, N.A., a national banking association.

“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans of the same Series, Refinancing Term Loans or Loans under Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, or are Swingline Loans and, when used in reference to any Commitment refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Credit Commitment, a Term Loan Commitment, an Incremental Term Loan Commitment, a Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment, or a commitment in respect of Refinancing Term Loans.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Collateral” means all of the “Collateral” and “Mortgaged Property” or “Trust Property” or other similar term referred to in the Security Documents and all of the other property and rights that is or is intended under the terms of the Security Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

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“Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.05(k).

“Collateral Agreement” means the Collateral Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrowers, each Guarantor and the Administrative Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

“Collateral Assignment” means the Collateral Assignment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrowers, certain of the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

“Commitment” means a Revolving Credit Commitment, Term Loan Commitment, Incremental Term Loan Commitment, Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, a commitment in respect of Refinancing Term Loans or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

“Commitment Increase Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 2.14 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate in connection with the use or administration of such Benchmark or to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

“Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.02(c).

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

“Corrections” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Preamble hereof.

 

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“Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

“Currency” means, with respect to any jurisdiction, the lawful money of such jurisdiction.

“Currency Valuation Notice” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.10(c).

“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for syndicated business loans; provided that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, provisional liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) if such Lender is a Revolving Credit Lender, fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, as applicable, or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular breach, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified GEO or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and, if such Lender is a Revolving Credit Lender, participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, as applicable, under this Agreement (unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular breach, if any) has not been satisfied); provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has, or has a Bank Parent that has, become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law (including a Bankruptcy Event) or a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any Bank Parent by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

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Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to the last paragraph of Section 2.18) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to GEO and each Lender.

“Delaney Hall” means that certain real property located in Newark, New Jersey described on Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Supplement, together with all improvements thereto and furniture, fixtures and equipment located therein, in each case owned by any of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Developmental Investments” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6.04(r).

“Deyton Detention Facility” means that certain real property located in Clayton County, Georgia described on Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Supplement, together with all improvements thereto and furniture, fixtures and equipment located therein, in each case owned by any of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits and proceedings disclosed in the Disclosure Supplement.

“Disclosure Supplement” means the Disclosure Supplement, attached hereto as Schedule I, dated as of the Effective Date and heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

“Disposition” means any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of any property (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, excluding any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of any property sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary business terms.

“Dollar Equivalent” means, (i) with respect to an amount denominated in Dollars, such Dollar amount and (ii) with respect to the amount of any Letter of Credit denominated in any Foreign Currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with the Foreign Currency last provided (either by publication or otherwise provided to the applicable Issuing Lender) by the applicable Bloomberg source (or such other publicly available source for displaying exchange rates as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time) on the date that is two Business Days immediately preceding the date of determination (or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide such rate of exchange, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the applicable Issuing Lender using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion). Any determination by the applicable Issuing Lender pursuant to clause (ii) above shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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“Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of GEO that is organized under the laws of the United States, any State therein or the District of Columbia.

“EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus the sum of the following determined on a consolidated basis, without duplication, for GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons in accordance with GAAP: (a) the sum of the following to the extent deducted in determining Net Income: (i) income and franchise taxes, (ii) Interest Expense (excluding Interest Expense attributable to any public-private partnership of GEO or its Subsidiaries that is an Other Consolidated Person), (iii) amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges (excluding insurance reserves), (iv) non-recurring, extraordinary or unusual charges and expenses, including in respect of restructuring or integration costs or premiums paid in connection with the redemption of Indebtedness, and (v) an amount (not exceeding an amount equal to 15% of Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of GEO most recently ended prior to the calculation of such amount for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, and a Financial Officer’s certificate has been delivered under Section 5.01(c) certifying such amount) equal to the aggregate amount of start-up and transition costs incurred during such period in connection with Facilities and operations; less (b) to the extent added in determining Net Income, any extraordinary gains. If any Permitted Acquisition is consummated at any time during a period for which EBITDA is calculated, EBITDA for such period shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis and, to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the amount of transaction costs and expenses and extraordinary charges relating to such Permitted Acquisition (or relating to any acquisition consummated by the acquired entity prior to the closing of such Permitted Acquisition but during the period of computation), as the case may be, shall be added to EBITDA for such period.

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country that is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 hereof are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.03).

 

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“Effective Date Transactions” means (a) the Transactions occurring on the Effective Date, (b) the incurrence of the 2029 Senior Notes and the 2031 Senior Notes, (c) the payment in full of all principal, premium, if any, interest, fees and other amounts due or outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, the termination of commitments thereunder and the discharge and release of all Guarantees and Liens existing in connection therewith and (d) the redemption of the Second Lien Notes and the 2026 Senior Notes.

“Entitled Person” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.15.

“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials or human health matters.

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, disposal or permitting or arranging for the disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any Equity Rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

“Equity Issuance” means (a) any issuance or sale by GEO after the Effective Date of any of its Equity Interests (other than any Equity Interests issued to directors, officers or employees of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to employee benefit compensation, purchase or incentive plans established in the ordinary course of business and any capital stock of GEO issued upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of such Equity Interests) or (b) the receipt by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date of any capital contribution (whether or not evidenced by any equity security issued by the recipient of such contribution); provided that Equity Issuance shall not include (x) any such issuance or sale by any Subsidiary of GEO to GEO or any wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of GEO or (y) any capital contribution by GEO or any wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of GEO to any Subsidiary of GEO, or (z) any capital contribution by any holder of Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary.

“Equity Rights” means, with respect to any Person, any subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including any shareholders’ or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of, or securities convertible into, any additional shares of capital stock of any class, or partnership or other ownership interests of any type in, such Person.

 

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“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with a Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy with respect to any Plan the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the determination that any Plan is considered an at-risk plan or that any Multiemployer Plan is endangered or is in critical status within the meaning of Sections 430 or 432 of the Code or Sections 303 or 305 of ERISA, as applicable; (e) the incurrence by a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (f) the receipt by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the incurrence by a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (h) the receipt by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

“Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8.12(a).

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned thereto in Article VII.

“Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, an amount for GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons equal to the excess of (if positive):

(A) the sum (without duplication) of:

(i) the Net Income (excluding any Net Income attributable to the sale of Delaney Hall) for such period (for the avoidance of doubt excluding non-controlling interests), plus

(ii) depreciation and amortization expense reducing Net Income for such period (but excluding amortization of a prepaid cash charge that was paid in a prior period), plus

(iii) the aggregate amount of other non-cash charges reducing Net Income for such period (but excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual or reserve for a potential cash charge in any future period), plus (iv) the decrease, if any, in Working Capital for such period; over

 

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(B) the sum, (without duplication) of:

(i) the aggregate amount paid from Internally Generated Cash during such period of:

(1) Capital Expenditures;

(2) (x) scheduled or mandatory principal payments of Indebtedness (but in respect of any revolving credit facility, only to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder) and obligations under Capital Leases (excluding any interest expense portion thereof), and (y) at the election of the Borrowers, voluntary principal payments, prepayments, repurchases or redemptions (but in respect of any revolving credit facility, only to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), including prepayment premiums, make-wholes and similar amounts paid in connection therewith;

(3) payments under long-term incentive plans and other long-term liabilities other than (x) Indebtedness and (y) payments which are otherwise expensed;

(4) Permitted Acquisitions, Developmental Investments and other Investments permitted by Section 6.04 in joint ventures and other Persons that are not Subsidiaries or Other Consolidated Persons; and

(5) Restricted Payments paid in accordance with Section 6.05(e) and not otherwise deducted in the determination of Net Income; plus

(ii) the aggregate amount of non-cash gains and credits increasing Net Income for such period; plus

(iii) the increase, if any, in Working Capital for such period; plus

(iv) at GEO’s option, without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, the aggregate amount to be paid in cash by GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons pursuant to planned expenditures or investments or as consideration under binding contracts or other commitments with third parties that are not Affiliates (the “Planned Future Expenditures”) entered into prior to or during such period to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of GEO following the end of such period; provided, to the extent the aggregate amount of Internally Generated Cash actually utilized to finance such Planned Future Expenditures during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the amount deducted from Excess Cash Flow on account of such Planned Future Expenditures during such period, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow for the next succeeding period.

 

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As used herein, (a) “Internally Generated Cash” means, with respect to any period, any cash or Permitted Investment of GEO or any Subsidiary or Other Consolidated Person generated during such period, other than any cash or Permitted Investments (i) that constitute Net Available Proceeds, or (ii) that are the proceeds of any incurrence of Indebtedness (other than Revolving Credit Loans), and (b) “Excess Cash Flow” shall not include amounts for Unrestricted Subsidiaries except to the extent such amounts have been distributed to GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Excluded Property” means:

(i) [reserved];

(ii) rights under any contracts, leases or other instruments that contain a valid and enforceable prohibition on assignment of such rights (except to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law or principles of equity), but only for so long as such prohibition exists and is effective and valid;

(iii) property and assets owned by any Borrower or any Guarantor that are the subject of Liens permitted by Section 6.02(d) or Section 6.02(h), but only if and for so long as (w) such Liens are in effect, (x) the Indebtedness secured by such Liens constitutes Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(f) or is GEO HQ Indebtedness, as applicable, (y) the agreements or instruments evidencing or governing such Indebtedness prohibit the Loans from being secured by such assets and (z) no part of the Loans and no Letter of Credit was used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of such assets;

(iv) Immaterial Government Contracts that are the subject of liens permitted by Section 6.02(f); and

(v) any assets with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and GEO (as agreed in writing), the cost or other adverse consequences (including adverse tax consequences) of pledging such assets would be excessive in relation to the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom;

provided however that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Excluded Property shall not include any property, rights, contracts or other assets that secure the 2029 Senior Notes or any Incremental Equivalent Debt that is secured on a pari passu basis with the Liens securing the Obligations.

“Excluded Real Property” means the GEO HQ, Delaney Hall and the Deyton Detention Facility.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means (i) any obligations and liabilities under Hedging Agreements entered into in connection with any GEO HQ Indebtedness and (ii) with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation (a “Swap Obligation”) to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act, if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) including without limitation, by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to that portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

“Excluded Taxes” means, any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any Issuing Lender (each of which shall be considered a “Payee”) or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Payee, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by its net income (however denominated), and franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits Taxes imposed by the United States, (c) any Tax that is required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a recipient that has failed or is unable to comply with Section 2.15(f) (other than as a result of a Change in Law), (d) in the case of a Lender that is a Foreign Payee (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by any Borrower under Section 2.17(b)), any U.S. federal withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Payee (including fees payable pursuant to Section 2.11) pursuant to the Code, treasury regulations or treaties (including officially published interpretations and guidelines), in each case as in place at the time such Foreign Payee becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Foreign Payee (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from any Borrower with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.15(b), and (e) any U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed under FATCA.

“Existing Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2022, among the Borrowers, the lenders party thereto and Alter Domus Products Corp, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof.

“Existing Letters of Credit” means all of the Letters of Credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Effective Date and listed in Schedule 2.05.

“Facility” means a correctional, detention, mental health or other facility the principal function of which is to carry out a Permitted Business.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Effective Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities in implementing such Sections of the Code.

 

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“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided that in no event shall the Federal Funds Rate for any day be less than 0.00% per annum.

“Fee Letter” means that certain credit facilities fee letter dated as of March 28, 2024, by and between the Borrowers and Citizens, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Financial Officer” means an incumbent chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or vice president of corporate finance.

“First Lien Leverage Ratio” means, on any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date (calculated on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP) that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is pari passu with the Liens securing the Obligations (without regard to payment priority) minus (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate amount (not less than zero) of Unrestricted Cash of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date plus (y) to the extent included in the calculation under clause (a)(i) of this definition, the undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit on such date to (b) Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of GEO ending on or most recently ended prior to such date.

“First Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Administrative Agent, as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent (as defined therein) for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (as defined therein) and as Authorized Representative (as defined therein) for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as collateral agent for the Initial Additional Secured Parties (as defined therein) and as Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional Secured Parties, and each other additional Authorized Representative and additional Collateral Agent from time to time party thereto for the other Additional Secured Parties (as defined therein) of the Series (as defined therein) with respect to which it is acting in such capacity, the Borrowers and the Guarantors, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

“Fixture Filings” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.10(a)(i).

“Flood Act” means, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, (ii) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, (iii) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, (iv) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and (v) the Biggert–Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, in each case, together with all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing, implementing or interpreting any of the foregoing, as amended or modified from time to time.

 

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“Flood Zone” means an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as an area having special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made available under the Flood Act.

“Floor” means a rate of interest equal to 0.75%.

“Foreign Currency” means at any time any Currency other than Dollars.

“Foreign Currency Equivalent” means, with respect to any amount in Dollars, the amount of any Foreign Currency that could be purchased with such amount of Dollars using the reciprocal of the foreign exchange rate(s) specified in the definition of the term “Dollar Equivalent”, as determined by the Administrative Agent.

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the respective Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

“Foreign Payee” means any Payee that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrowers are resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of GEO that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, without giving effect to any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2018.

“GEO” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Preamble hereof.

“GEO HQ” means that certain real property located in Boca Raton, Florida described on Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Supplement, together with all improvements thereto and furniture, fixtures and equipment located therein, in each case owned by any of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“GEO HQ Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of the GEO HQ, Guarantees by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary of any such Indebtedness, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness and Guarantees that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof, in each case, permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(b).

 

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“Government Contract” means a contract between GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary and a Governmental Authority located in the United States or all obligations of any such Governmental Authority as account debtor arising under any Account (as defined in the UCC) now existing or hereafter arising owing to GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary.

“Governmental Approvals” means all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, any Governmental Authority.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other payment obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including (i) any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other payment obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other payment obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain Working Capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other payment obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or payment obligation and (ii) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing payment of Indebtedness or other monetary obligations of the primary obligor; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

“Guarantor” means each Restricted Domestic Subsidiary and any other Person, which in each case shall have become a party to the Guaranty Agreement, including pursuant to a supplement thereto.

“Guaranty Agreement” means the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrowers, the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated or with respect to which liability or standards of conduct are imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

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“Hedge Counterparty” means each Person that is a Lender, the Administrative Agent, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent (i) at the time it enters into a Hedging Agreement or (ii) that is party to a Hedging Agreement outstanding as of the Effective Date, in each case with any Borrower or any Guarantor, in its capacity as a party thereto.

“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, foreign currency exchange and swap agreement, or any call option in respect of convertible or exchangeable debt securities issued by any Borrower or any Guarantor.

“Immaterial Government Contracts” means all Government Contracts that pertain to a Facility or Facilities owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary and are required to be assigned to secure related Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that the amount of EBITDA reasonably attributable to all Immaterial Government Contracts in the aggregate for the four fiscal quarters ending on or most recently ended prior to any date of determination shall not exceed 10% of EBITDA for the same four fiscal quarter period.

“Increasing Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Incremental” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are made pursuant to Section 2.01(e).

“Incremental Amount” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) $250,000,000 plus (ii) the amount of any payment (whether or not scheduled, voluntary or mandatory), prepayment, redemption, repurchase or debt buyback (including any such payment, prepayment, redemption, repurchase or debt buyback made at a discount to par, in which case, the amount added back pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be the par amount of the indebtedness repaid, redeemed or purchased) of any Term Loans (other than in connection with a Specified Term Loan Refinancing), any Incremental Term Loans, any 2029 Senior Notes or any Incremental Equivalent Debt (other than with respect to revolving commitments) incurred pursuant to Section 2.01(f)(i) that is secured on a pari passu basis with the Liens securing the Obligations (in each case, provided that such Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans, 2029 Senior Notes or Incremental Equivalent Debt are cancelled and cease to be outstanding) and any payment (whether or not voluntary or mandatory), prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans to the extent accompanied by corresponding permanent reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that, in each case, the relevant payment, prepayment, redemption, repurchase, debt buyback or commitment reduction is not funded or effected with any long-term Indebtedness (other than revolving Indebtedness) minus (iii) the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans incurred pursuant to Section 2.01(e), (y) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Commitment Increases incurred pursuant to Section 2.08(e) and (z) the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred pursuant to Section 2.01(f)(i).

“Incremental Equivalent Debt” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.01(f).

“Incremental Equivalent Debt Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.01(f).

 

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“Incremental Lenders” means, in respect of any Series of Incremental Term Loans, the Lenders (or other financial institutions referred to in Section 2.01(e)) whose offers to make Incremental Term Loans of such Series shall have been accepted by GEO in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01(e) and that are party to the relevant Incremental Term Loan Amendment.

“Incremental Term Loan Amendment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.01(e).

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Incremental Term Loans of any Series that is accepted by GEO in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01(e), expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans to be made by such Lender hereunder, as such commitment may be (i) reduced pursuant to Section 2.08(a) or (b) or Section 2.10(b) and (ii) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.

“Incremental Term Loans” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.01(e).

“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all liabilities, obligations and indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money including, but not limited to, obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments of any such Person, (b) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade payables arising in the ordinary course of business not more than 90 days past due or payable on such later date as is customary in the trade, (c) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases, (d) all Indebtedness of any other Person secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, (e) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others (including all Guarantees by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt), (f) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to letters of credit (supporting payment of Indebtedness), whether or not drawn, including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations related thereto, and banker’s acceptances issued for the account of such Person, (g) all obligations of such Person to redeem, repurchase, exchange, defease or otherwise make payments in respect of Equity Interests of such Person, (h) all outstanding payment obligations with respect to Synthetic Leases, (i) the outstanding attributed principal amount under any asset securitization program and (j) all outstanding payment obligations with respect to performance surety bonds that have been drawn upon. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.03(b).

“Installment Sale” means any sale of a property by GEO, any of its Subsidiaries or any Other Consolidated Person, as seller, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as an installment sale on a consolidated balance sheet of GEO, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons.

 

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“Intercreditor Agreements” means the First Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement entered into in connection with the incurrence, assumption or acquisition of any Indebtedness permitted hereunder.

“Interest Coverage Ratio” means the ratio of (a) Adjusted EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to (b) Interest Expense minus Interest Expense attributable to Indebtedness of Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons that is Non-Recourse to GEO and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such four quarter period.

“Interest Election Request” means a request by GEO to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07, and substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

“Interest Expense” means, for any period, the sum, for GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP), of the following: (a) all interest and fees in respect of Indebtedness (including the interest component of any payments in respect of Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases accounted for as interest under GAAP) accrued or capitalized during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period) plus (b) the net amount payable (or minus the net amount receivable) under Hedging Agreements relating to interest during such period (whether or not actually paid or received during such period) minus (c) interest income (excluding interest income in respect of Capital Leases and Installment Sales) during such period (whether or not actually received during such period).

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, each Quarterly Date, (b) with respect to any SOFR Loan, the last day of each Interest Period therefor and, in the case of any Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at three-month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

“Interest Period” means, for any SOFR Loan or Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Loan or Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability thereof) (or on such other day as all of the Lenders holding such Loan or Borrowing may agree in their sole discretion), or for any period ending on or prior to the 30th day following the Effective Date, one, two or three weeks thereafter, in each case as specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a SOFR Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (iii) unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent, until the date falling on the 30th day following the Effective Date, all Interest Periods for all SOFR Borrowings shall be coterminous and no Interest Period may commence before and end after such 30th day and (iv) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.24(d) shall be available for specification in such Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request. For purposes hereof, the date of a Loan or Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Loan or Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Loan or Borrowing.

 

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“Internally Generated Cash” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow”.

“Investment” means, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, property, services or securities or otherwise) of capital stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership or other ownership interests or other securities of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such sale, but excluding any such agreement expressly subject to a condition that such acquisition shall not be consummated if such acquisition would constitute a Default); (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such property to such Person), but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding 90 days arising in connection with the sale of inventory or supplies by such Person in the ordinary course of business; (c) the entering into of any Guarantee of, or other contingent obligation with respect to, Indebtedness or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person; or (d) the entering into of any Hedging Agreement.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance of such Letter of Credit).

“Issuing Lender” means (a) with respect to each Existing Letter of Credit, the issuing lender of such Existing Letter of Credit and (b) with respect to any other Letter of Credit, any Revolving Credit Lender or other financial institution selected by GEO that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and which Revolving Credit Lender or other financial institution consents in writing (which consent may be evidenced by a separate written agreement and, in the case of a financial institution that is not then a Revolving Credit Lender, provides for such financial institution to become a party hereto) to be an “Issuing Lender” hereunder, and any successor thereof in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(j). An Issuing Lender may, in its sole discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by branches or Affiliates of such Issuing Lender, in which case the term “Issuing Lender” shall include any such branch or Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such branch or Affiliate. Each reference herein to “the Issuing Lender” shall refer to the respective Issuing Lender of a Letter of Credit.

“Joinder Agreement” means collectively, each joinder agreement executed in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and the other Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

“Joint and Several Obligations” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.21(a).

 

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“Law” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Lender pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrowers at such time. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

“LC Sublimit” means $175,000,000.

“Lead Arrangers” means Citizens, TCBI Securities, Inc. and Synovus Securities, Inc., each in its capacity as a joint lead arranger and bookrunner of the credit facilities established under this Agreement.

“Left Lead Arranger” means Citizens, in its capacity as left lead arranger and bookrunner of the credit facilities established under this Agreement.

“Lender” means each Person that shall have become a party to this Agreement as a Lender (including pursuant to a Lender Addendum), including, without limitation, each Term Lender, each Revolving Credit Lender, any Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender (unless the context otherwise requires), any Incremental Lender and each other Person that shall have become a party hereto as a Lender, including pursuant to an Incremental Term Loan Amendment, a Revolving Credit Commitment Increase, a Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment, a Refinancing Term Loan Amendment, or an Assignment and Assumption, in each case other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise as a result of such Person ceasing to hold any Commitments, any Revolving Credit Exposure, any Loans or other amounts due and payable in respect thereof.

“Lender Addendum” means a Lender Addendum to this Agreement (or to any consent, waiver, amendment or supplement in respect of this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents) in the form of Exhibit D or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, to be executed and delivered by each applicable Lender as provided in Section 9.06(b) (or in any such consent, waiver or amendment, as applicable).

“Letter of Credit” means (i) any Existing Letter of Credit, (ii) any other letter of credit issued, extended or renewed by an Issuing Lender pursuant to this Agreement and (iii) any Rollover Letter of Credit to the extent permitted to be deemed issued hereunder.

 

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“Letter of Credit Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, collectively, any application therefor and any other agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk with respect to such Letter of Credit or (b) any collateral security for any of such obligations.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, collateral assignment, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities, other than customary rights of a third party to acquire Equity Interests in a Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement for a sale of such Equity Interests permitted hereunder.

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, the Letter of Credit Documents, the Notes, the Security Documents, the Fee Letter, each Incremental Term Loan Amendment, each Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment, each Refinancing Term Loan Amendment, each Borrowing Request, the Intercreditor Agreements, each certificate delivered by an authorized officer of any Loan Party pursuant to any other Loan Document, and any other document executed and/or delivered by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with the foregoing if expressly designated as a “Loan Document” therein, and (b) solely for purposes of each of Sections 4, 5, 6, 12(g) and 25 of the Guaranty Agreement, Sections 7.4(d), 7.11 and 7.14(a) of the Collateral Agreement and Sections 15 and 25 of the Collateral Assignment, the definitive documentation for the Cash Management Obligations.

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers and the Guarantors.

“Loans” means the loans made by Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including the Term Loans, the Revolving Credit Loans, any Incremental Term Loans of any Series, any Refinancing Term Loans and any loans made under any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments.

“Margin Stock” means “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X of the Board.

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of GEO and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of GEO and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to pay any of their obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or (d) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

“Material Contract” means (a) any Material Government Contract or (b) any other contract or agreement, written or oral, of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries the failure to comply with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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“Material Government Contract” means any Government Contract, with respect to which the aggregate amount of EBITDA reasonably attributable to such Government Contract for the four fiscal quarters ending on or most recently ended prior to any date of determination is greater than 10% of EBITDA for the same four fiscal quarter period.

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit) or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt and any such obligations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that are Guaranteed by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of any Person in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Person would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

“Material Intellectual Property” means any intellectual property that is material to the operations or businesses of GEO and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

“Material Real Property” means (a) any domestic real property interest, including improvements, owned or leased by a Borrower or any Guarantor that has a net book value in excess of $10,000,000 (the “Material Real Property Threshold”) or (b) any domestic real property owned or leased by a Borrower or any Guarantor that is to be secured by a Mortgage such that after giving effect to such Mortgage, the Collateral includes at least 80% of the net book value of the domestic real property interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors (the “Material Real Property NBV Threshold”), whichever of clause (a) or (b) represents a greater proportion of the net book value of all domestic real property interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors; provided, however, that no Excluded Real Property shall constitute “Material Real Property” for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

“Material Real Property NBV Threshold” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Material Real Property.”

“Material Real Property Threshold” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Material Real Property.”

“Maturity Date” means (i) with respect to a Term Loan, the applicable Term Loan Maturity Date and (ii) with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date.

“Maturity Reserve Condition” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date”.

“Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.14.

“MNPI” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.01(d).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

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“Mortgage Amendment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.11(c).

“Mortgages” means, collectively, one or more mortgages and deeds of trust (or equivalent instruments), including any Mortgage Amendments, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (each with such changes as may be appropriate in the applicable jurisdiction), executed by a Borrower or a Guarantor in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as any such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and covering (i) as of the Effective Date, the properties and leasehold interests identified in Part A of Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Supplement and (ii) thereafter, the properties and leasehold interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors that are required to be subject to the Lien of a Mortgage in accordance with the terms hereof (the Mortgages referred to in this clause (ii), the “Additional Mortgages”).

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes, is obligated to contribute, or has any liability.

“Net Available Proceeds” means:

(a) in the case of any Disposition consummated after the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of all cash payments, received by or on behalf of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly in connection with any such Disposition; provided that Net Available Proceeds shall be net of (i) the amount of any legal fees and expenses, title premiums and costs, recording fees and expenses, state and local taxes, commissions, and other fees and expenses paid by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Disposition, (ii) any Federal, foreign, state and local income or other taxes estimated to be payable by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such Disposition and (iii) any repayments by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness secured by Liens that are junior to the Liens securing the Obligations) to the extent that (x) such Indebtedness is secured by a Lien on the property that is the subject of such Disposition and (y) the transferee of (or holder of a Lien on) such property requires that such Indebtedness be repaid as a condition to the purchase of such property; provided that, in the case of any such Lien securing Indebtedness on a pari passu basis with the Liens securing the Obligations, the amount deducted pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be limited to ratable share applicable to such other Indebtedness (determined on the basis of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such other Indebtedness and the Indebtedness hereunder at such time);

(b) in the case of any Casualty Event, the aggregate amount of proceeds of insurance, condemnation awards and other compensation received by or on behalf of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Casualty Event net of (i) reasonable fees and expenses incurred by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and (ii) contractually required repayments of Indebtedness to the extent secured by a Lien (other than any Lien that is junior to the Liens securing the Obligations) on such property (provided that, in the case of any such Lien securing Indebtedness on a pari passu basis with the Liens securing the Obligations, the amount to be deducted shall be limited to ratable share applicable to such other Indebtedness (determined on the basis of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such other Indebtedness and the Indebtedness hereunder at such time)) and any income and transfer taxes payable by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Casualty Event; and (c) in the case of any Equity Issuance, the aggregate amount of all cash received by or on behalf of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Equity Issuance net of reasonable fees and expenses incurred by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith;

 

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provided, that Net Available Proceeds of any Disposition or Casualty Event shall be net of any amounts required to be paid to avoid the imposition of federal or state income or excise taxes reasonably determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of GEO (as evidenced by a certification to that effect and setting forth the basis for such estimation in reasonable detail delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to or concurrently with the occurrence of the transaction or other events resulting in such Net Available Proceeds, as the same may be supplemented or modified in writing (in reasonable detail) by a Financial Officer of GEO to reflect good faith adjustments to such original determination prior to the date on which any of such Net Available Proceeds were (or were required to be) applied to prepay Loans or reduce Commitments pursuant to Section 2.10(b)) to be payable by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such Disposition or Casualty Event.

“Net Income” means, with respect to GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons, for any period of determination, the net income (or loss) for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.05(b)(ii).

“Non-Recourse” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation and to any Person, that such Person has not Guaranteed such Indebtedness or other obligation, and is not otherwise liable, directly or indirectly for such Indebtedness or other obligation, and that any action or inaction by such Person, including without limitation any default by such Person on its own Indebtedness or other obligations, will not result in any default, event of default, acceleration, or increased financial or other obligations, under or with respect to such Indebtedness or other obligation; provided, that, any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or Other Consolidated Person that would otherwise be Non-Recourse to the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be Non-Recourse to the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries solely due to (A) any investment funded at the time or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (B) the assignment by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of its rights under any Government Contract to secure Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt, or Indebtedness or other obligations of any Other Consolidated Person, related to such Government Contract or (C) to the extent undrawn, the issuance of any Letter of Credit in support of such Indebtedness or other obligation.

“Non-Recourse Debt Service” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the sum of, without duplication (a) the net interest expense of such Person with respect to Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to GEO and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined for such period, without duplication, on a consolidated or combined basis, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP, (b) the scheduled principal payments required to be made during such period by such Person with respect to Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to GEO and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (c) rent expense for such period associated with Indebtedness that is Non-Recourse to GEO and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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“Not Otherwise Applied” means, with reference to the amount of any proceeds of any transaction or event that is proposed to be applied to a particular use or transaction, that such amount (a) was not required to prepay Loans pursuant to Section 2.10(b) and (b) has not previously been (and is not simultaneously being) applied to anything other than such particular use or transaction.

“Note” means, as the context may require, a Revolving Credit Loan Note or a Term Loan Note.

“Notice of Assignment” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Collateral Agreement.

“Obligations” means, collectively, (a) all obligations of the Borrowers under the Loan Documents to pay the principal of and interest on the Loans and all fees, indemnification payments and other amounts whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter from time to time owing to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, (b) [reserved], (c) all existing or future payment and other obligations owing by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Hedging Agreement permitted hereunder with any Hedge Counterparty, excluding, for all purposes of the Security Documents and Section 2.21, Excluded Swap Obligations, (d) all Cash Management Obligations, and (e) all other interest, fees and commissions (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), charges, indebtedness, loans, liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing by GEO or any of its Subsidiaries to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, in each case under or in respect of this Agreement, any Note, any Letter of Credit or any of the other Loan Documents of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any note, and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

“Other Consolidated Persons” means Persons, none of the Equity Interests of which are owned by GEO or any of its Subsidiaries, whose financial statements are required to be consolidated with the financial statements of GEO in accordance with GAAP.

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

“Participant” means any Person to whom a participation is sold as permitted by Section 9.04(d).

“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.04(d).

 

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“Patriot Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

“Payee” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Excluded Taxes” in this Section 1.01.

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

“Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Term SOFR”.

“Permitted Acquisition” means an acquisition by GEO or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Facility, all of the Equity Interests of a Person or all or substantially all of the assets and related rights constituting an ongoing business, in each case primarily constituting a Permitted Business, and where each of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) at the time of such acquisition, both before and immediately after the consummation thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(b) unless the consideration paid for such acquisition (including, without duplication, the assumption of Indebtedness and aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the subject of such acquisition remaining outstanding after the consummation thereof) is less than $15,000,000, Subject EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of the proposed Acquired Business ended most recently before the consummation of such acquisition, was greater than zero;

(c) the Total Leverage Ratio and First Lien Leverage Ratio on the last day of the period of four fiscal quarters of GEO ended most recently before the consummation of such acquisition for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as if the acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period, and giving pro forma effect to all payments, prepayments, redemptions, retirements, sinking fund payments, and borrowings, issuances and other incurrences, of Indebtedness (but without netting cash proceeds of concurrent borrowings, issuances and other incurrences, of Indebtedness) from and after such day through and including the date of the consummation of such acquisition, is at least 0.25 below the Total Leverage Ratio and First Lien Leverage Ratio, respectively, required to be maintained pursuant to Section 6.09 on such day;

(d) such acquisition shall be consummated such that, after giving effect thereto, the subject of such acquisition shall be one or more Guarantors or (to the extent constituting assets that are not Persons) shall be acquired directly by one or more Loan Parties and shall constitute Collateral; and

(e) such acquisition of Equity Interests was not preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interests by, or proxy contest initiated by or on behalf of, GEO or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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“Permitted Business” means a business, a line of business or a facility in the same line of business as is conducted by GEO and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date and any business reasonably related thereto or ancillary or incidental thereto, or a reasonable extension thereof, including the provision of services or goods to Governmental Authorities.

“Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges that are not yet due beyond the period of grace or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s, banker’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(k); and

(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of GEO or any of its Subsidiaries;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least AA from S&P or Aa from Moody’s;

 

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(c) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, a rating of at least A-2 from S&P or P-2 from Moody’s; (d) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, or by any Lender which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(e) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 90 days for securities described in clause (a) of this definition and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (d) of this definition; and

(f) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $1,000,000,000.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

“Permitted Land Use Encumbrances” means the encumbrances described in clause (f) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”.

“Planned Future Expenditures” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow.”

“Platform” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.01(d).

“Prepayment Premium” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.10(d).

“Prepayment Premium Trigger Event” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.10(d).

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

“Principal Financial Center” means, in respect of any Currency, the principal financial center where such Currency is cleared and settled, as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

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“Principal Payment Date” means the last Business Day of each of March, June, September and December.

“Pro Forma Basis” means, in making any determination of EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA for any period, that pro forma effect shall be given to any acquisition permitted hereunder including any Permitted Acquisition that occurred during such period and to any acquisition by the Person acquired by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary that occurred during such period, in each case, taking into account both revenues (excluding revenues created by synergies) and estimated cost-savings, as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer of GEO and approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that GEO delivers to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer of GEO setting forth such pro forma calculations and all assumptions that are material to such calculations.

“Pro Forma First Lien Leverage Ratio” means, on any date, the First Lien Leverage Ratio on the last day of GEO’s fiscal quarter then most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, (i) after giving pro forma effect since such last day through and including such date to: (x) all payments, prepayments, redemptions, retirements, sinking fund payments, and borrowings, issuances and other incurrences, of Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is pari passu with the Liens securing the Obligations and (y) any changes to the amount of Unrestricted Cash of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries (but without netting cash proceeds of concurrent borrowings, issuances and other incurrences, of Indebtedness) and (ii) calculating EBITDA for the period of computation on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Pro Forma Total Leverage Ratio” means, on any date, the Total Leverage Ratio on the last day of GEO’s fiscal quarter then most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, (i) after giving pro forma effect since such last day through and including such date to: (x) all payments, prepayments, redemptions, retirements, sinking fund payments, and borrowings, issuances and other incurrences, of Indebtedness and (y) any changes to the amount of Unrestricted Cash of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries (but without netting cash proceeds of concurrent borrowings, issuances and other incurrences, of Indebtedness) and (ii) calculating EBITDA for the period of computation on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Public Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.01(d).

“Quarterly Date” means the last Business Day of each of January, April, July and October.

“RCF Excess” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.10(c)(ii).

“Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(b).

“Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(b)(vii).

“Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Notice” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(b).

 

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“Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(b).

“Refinancing Term Loan” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(a).

“Refinancing Term Loan Amendment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(a)(vi).

“Refinancing Term Loan Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(a).

“Refinancing Term Loan Notice” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.22(a).

“Refundable Excess” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.10(c)(iii).

“Register” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.04(c).

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“Release Date” means the date on which all of the Obligations (other than (x) obligations described in clause (c) of the definition of “Obligations” set forth above, (y) Cash Management Obligations or (z) contingent indemnification obligations, in each case not yet due and payable and asserted in writing) have been paid in full in cash, all Commitments have expired or been terminated, and all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit that have been cash collateralized or backstopped in an amount and pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Lender) have expired or been terminated.

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

“Removal Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8.01.

“Required Lenders” means, at any time, subject to Section 2.18(b) and to Section 9.02(b), Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures, outstanding Term Loans, outstanding Incremental Term Loans and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures, outstanding Term Loans, outstanding Incremental Term Loans and unused Commitments at such time. The “Required Lenders” of a particular Class of Loans means Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures, outstanding Term Loans, outstanding Incremental Term Loans and unused Commitments of such Class representing more than 50% of the total Revolving Credit Exposures, outstanding Term Loans, outstanding Incremental Term Loans and unused Commitments of such Class at such time.

“Required Revolving Credit Lenders” means Revolving Credit Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Revolving Credit Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

 

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“Required Term Lenders” means Lenders having outstanding Term Loans, outstanding Incremental Term Loans and unused Incremental Term Loan Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total outstanding Term Loans, outstanding Incremental Term Loans and unused Incremental Term Loan Commitments at such time.

“Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8.01.

“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

“Restricted Domestic Subsidiary” means any Domestic Subsidiary of GEO that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Restricted Payment” means, with respect to any Person, any (x) dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests of such Person, or (y) payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests of such Person or any Equity Rights with respect to such Person (including, without limitation, any payment of any convertible debt securities above the original principal amount thereof (or the portion thereof to which such payment is attributable)); provided that the payment of principal of any convertible debt securities not in excess of the original principal amount thereof (or the portion thereof to which such payment is attributable), and the payment of interest with respect to any convertible debt securities, shall in each case not constitute a Restricted Payment.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of GEO that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Retained ECF Amount” means, on any date, an amount determined on a cumulative basis equal to Excess Cash Flow for each fiscal quarter (to the extent positive), commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024 and ending with the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to the date of determination for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, to the extent such Excess Cash Flow has not been applied (and is not required to be (or to have been) applied) to prepay Obligations pursuant to Section 2.10(b)(iii) (without regard to any exclusions from such prepayment obligation pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.10(b)).

“Revolving Credit”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is or are made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

“Revolving Credit Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

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“Revolving Credit Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments as of the Effective Date is $310,000,000. The initial amount of each applicable Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment is set forth in such Lender’s Lender Addendum or the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Credit Commitment, as the case may be.

“Revolving Credit Commitment Increase” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Amendment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.08(e)(ii).

“Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date” means the earliest of (i) April 15, 2029, (ii) in the event that any Term Loans remain outstanding on the date that is ninety-one (91) days prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date, the date that is ninety-one (91) days prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date and (iii) in the event that an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $100,000,000 of any series or class of any Senior Notes (other than any 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes) remains outstanding on the Springing Maturity Date applicable thereto, such Springing Maturity Date, it being understood that Senior Notes shall not be considered to be outstanding for purposes of this clause (iii) to the extent GEO shall have deposited or caused to be deposited funds into a customary irrevocable escrow in an amount sufficient to pay or redeem such Senior Notes in full on the maturity date thereof (the “Maturity Reserve Condition”); provided that, if such date is not a Business Day, then the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date shall be the preceding Business Day.

“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

“Revolving Credit Lender” means a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have expired or been terminated, a Lender with Revolving Credit Exposure.

“Revolving Credit Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

“Revolving Credit Loan Note” means a promissory note of the Borrowers payable to any Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.

 

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“Rollover Letter of Credit” means, with respect to any Acquired Business, any undrawn letter of credit issued on behalf or in respect of such Acquired Business and outstanding on the date the relevant Permitted Acquisition shall have been consummated; provided that (x) the issuer of such letter of credit shall be or shall have become an Issuing Lender hereunder, (y) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 shall have been satisfied and (z) such letter of credit shall comply with all other applicable requirements of this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued hereunder (including, without limitation, Section 2.05(c)), in each case on and as of such date.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto.

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, territory or region that is, or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions (which, as of the Effective Date, includes Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, the Kherson and the Zaporizhzia regions of the Ukraine).

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited under Sanctions, including (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the United States (including by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any of its member states, His Majesty’s Treasury, Switzerland or any other relevant authority, (b) any Person located, operating, organized or resident in, or any Governmental Entity or governmental instrumentality of, a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person 25% or more directly or indirectly owned by, controlled by, or acting for the benefit or on behalf of, any Person described in clauses (a) or (b) hereof.

“Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes or restrictive measures enacted, imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Commerce, (b) the United Nations Security Council, (c) the European Union or any of its member states, (d) His Majesty’s Treasury, (e) Switzerland or (f) any other relevant authority.

“Second Currency” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.15.

“Second Lien Notes” means the 2028 Public Second Lien Notes and the 2028 Private Second Lien Notes.

“Secured Parties” means the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the Hedge Counterparties and the Cash Management Banks.

“Security Documents” means the Guaranty Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, the Mortgages, the Collateral Assignment, each Joinder Agreement and each other agreement or writing pursuant to which any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary purports to grant a Lien on any property or assets securing their obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

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“Senior Note Indentures” means, collectively, each of the indentures under which the Senior Notes are issued.

“Senior Notes” means, collectively, any senior notes issued by GEO or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Series” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.01(e).

“Significant Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary (or group of Subsidiaries on a consolidated or combined basis) that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof, and (b) Corrections.

“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

“SOFR Borrowing” means, as to any Borrowing, the SOFR Loans comprising such Borrowing.

“SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Term SOFR, other than pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”.

“Solvent” means, as to GEO and its Subsidiaries on a particular date, that each such Person (a) has capital sufficient to carry on its business and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is about to engage and is able to pay its debts as they mature, (b) owns property having a value, both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value, greater than the amount required to pay its probable liabilities (including contingencies), (c) does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature and (d) is “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” (as now and hereafter in effect or any successor statute) and other applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances.

“Specified Currency” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.15.

“Specified Financial Covenant Event of Default” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.01(d).

“Specified Place” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.15.

“Specified Term Loan Refinancing” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.01(f).

“Springing Maturity Date” means the date that is ninety-one (91) days prior to the maturity date (or equivalent term) applicable to any Senior Notes (other than the 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes).

 

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“Subject EBITDA” means, for any period, for any Acquired Business, the sum of the following for such period (calculated without duplication on a consolidated basis for such Acquired Business and its Subsidiaries to the fullest extent practicable in accordance with GAAP (and, if such Acquired Business consists of assets rather than a Person, as if such Acquired Business were a Person)) (a) net operating income (or loss) plus (b) the sum of the following to the extent deducted in determining such net operating income: (i) income and franchise taxes, (ii) interest expense, (iii) amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges (excluding insurance reserves), and (iv) extraordinary losses.

“Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness incurred by a Loan Party that is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of the Obligations of such Loan Party and contains subordination and other terms acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of GEO.

“Swap Obligation” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Excluded Swap Obligation” in this Section 1.01.

“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.

“Swingline Lender” means Citizens Bank in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans.

“Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

“Swingline Sublimit” means $30,000,000.

“Synthetic Leases” means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP.

“Tax Savings Repurchase Event” means any repurchase of convertible debt securities consummated after the Effective Date which results in tax savings for GEO.

“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

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“Term”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is or are Term Loans, as opposed to Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans or Incremental Loans.

“Term Lender” means a Lender with a Term Loan Commitment or an outstanding Term Loan.

“Term Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(b).

“Term Loan Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Term Loan hereunder on the Effective Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans to be made by such Lender hereunder, as such commitment may be (i) reduced pursuant to Section 2.08(a) or (b) and (ii) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The amount of each applicable Lender’s Term Loan Commitment on the Effective Date is set forth in such Lender’s Lender Addendum or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Term Loan Commitment, as the case may be. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Term Loan Commitments on the Effective Date is $450,000,000.

“Term Loan Exposure” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of the outstanding Term Loans, outstanding Incremental Term Loans and unused Incremental Term Loan Commitments at such time.

“Term Loan Maturity Date” means the earliest of (i) April 15, 2029, and (ii) in the event that an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $100,000,000 of any series or class of any Senior Notes (other than the 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes) remains outstanding on the Springing Maturity Date applicable thereto, such Springing Maturity Date, unless the Maturity Reserve Condition is satisfied with respect to such Senior Notes; provided that, if such date is not a Business Day, then the Term Loan Maturity Date shall be the preceding Business Day.

“Term Loan Note” means a promissory note of GEO payable to any Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of GEO to such Lender resulting from outstanding Term Loans, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.

“Term SOFR” means,

(a) for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S.

 

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Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day, and

(b) for any calculation with respect to an ABR Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day (such day, the “ABR Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any ABR Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such ABR SOFR Determination Day;

provided, further, that if Term SOFR determined as provided above (including pursuant to the proviso under clause (a) or clause (b) above) shall ever be less than the Floor, then Term SOFR shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor.

“Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.

“Title Companies” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.10(a)(ii).

“Total Leverage Ratio” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) the result of the following calculation: (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of GEO, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons on such date (calculated on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP) minus (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate amount (not less than zero) of Unrestricted Cash of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date plus (y) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons on such date that is Non-Recourse to GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries plus (z) to the extent included in the calculation under the clause (a)(i) of this definition, the undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit on such date to (b) Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters of GEO ending on or most recently ended prior to such date.

“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of Loan Documents to which it is, or is intended to be, a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof, and the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of Letters of Credit hereunder.

 

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“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to Term SOFR or the Alternate Base Rate.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or, if the context so requires, any other applicable jurisdiction.

“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

“Unrestricted Cash” means cash and Permitted Investments held by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not subject to any Lien or preferential arrangement in favor of any Person to protect such Person against loss and are not part of any funded reserve established by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries required by GAAP.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of GEO identified on the Effective Date in the Disclosure Supplement as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or which qualifies as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 5.09(d); provided that (i) such Unrestricted Subsidiary meets the requirements set forth in Section 5.09(d), (ii) no Borrower shall be an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (iii) no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall own or exclusively license any Material Intellectual Property.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt” means Indebtedness of any one or more Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

“U.S. Borrower” means a Borrower that is United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, it being understood that, as of the Effective Date, each Borrower is a U.S. Borrower.

“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

 

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“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

“Working Capital” means, at any time, the excess at such time of current assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) over current liabilities (excluding the current portion of long-term debt) of GEO, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP); provided that when comparing increases or decreases of Working Capital across periods, the impact of acquisitions, dispositions and reclassifications from long term to current shall be excluded.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

Section 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Term Loan”), by Type (e.g., an “ABR Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., an “ABR Term Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Term Borrowing”), by Type (e.g., an “ABR Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., an “ABR Term Borrowing”).

Section 1.03 Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Any reference herein to “the date hereof”, “the date of this Agreement” and words of similar import shall be deemed to mean the Effective Date. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein, including in Section 6.08), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented, reenacted or redesignated from time to time and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

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Section 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time; provided that, if GEO notifies the Administrative Agent that GEO requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP occurring or with application after the date hereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies GEO that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. To enable the ready and consistent determination of compliance with the covenants set forth in Article VI, GEO will comply with Section 5.12.

Section 1.05 Currencies; Currency Equivalents. At any time, any reference in the definition of the term “Agreed Foreign Currency” or in any other provision of this Agreement to the Currency of any particular nation means the lawful currency of such nation at such time whether or not the name of such Currency is the same as it was on the date hereof. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, for purposes of determining:

(i) whether the amount of any Letter of Credit, together with all other Revolving Credit Borrowings and Letters of Credit then outstanding or to be borrowed or issued at the same time that such Letter of Credit is outstanding, would exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments,

(ii) the aggregate unutilized amount of the Commitments of any Class, or

(iii) the Revolving Credit Exposure or the LC Exposure of any Class,

the outstanding face amount of any Letter of Credit that is denominated in any Foreign Currency shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the Foreign Currency of such Letter of Credit determined as of the date of such Letter of Credit (determined in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of “Interest Period”).

Wherever in this Agreement in connection with the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Letter of Credit is denominated in a Foreign Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Foreign Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Foreign Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the applicable Issuing Lender.

Section 1.06 Rates.

 

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The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Alternate Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Term SOFR, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Alternate Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of the Alternate Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain the Alternate Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to any Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

Section 1.07 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of the Letter of Credit Documents related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof (or the aggregate amount available to be drawn thereunder), the amount of such Letter of Credit (other than for purposes of Section 2.11) shall be deemed to be the maximum aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases.

Section 1.08 Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

Section 2.01 The Commitments; Revolving Credit Loans; Term Loans; Incremental Term Loans. Subject to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Lenders severally agree to make Loans, in each case as set forth below:

 

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(a) Revolving Credit Loans. Each Revolving Credit Lender having an Available Revolving Credit Commitment agrees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, to make Revolving Credit Loans, in Dollars, to the Borrowers, from time to time during the Revolving Credit Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount that will result in neither (x) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment nor (y) the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Revolving Credit Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans.

(b) Term Loans. Each Term Lender having a Term Loan Commitment agrees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, to make Term Loans in Dollars to GEO on the Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Term Loan Commitment of such Lender on the Effective Date. Amounts prepaid or repaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved].

(e) Incremental Term Loans. In addition to Borrowings of Revolving Credit Loans and Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.01(a) and (b) above, respectively, from time to time, GEO may request that any one or more of the Lenders or, at the option of GEO, other financial institutions or funds selected by GEO offer to enter into commitments to make additional term loans (“Incremental Term Loans”) to GEO, in Dollars, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Incremental Amount. In the event that one or more of the Lenders or such other financial institutions or funds offer, in their sole discretion, to enter into such commitments, and such Lenders or financial institutions or funds and GEO agree as to the amount of such commitments that shall be allocated to the respective Lenders or financial institutions or funds making such offers and the fees (if any) to be payable by GEO in connection therewith, such Lenders or financial institutions or funds shall become obligated to make Incremental Term Loans under this Agreement in an amount equal to the amount of their respective Incremental Term Loan Commitments (and such financial institutions shall become “Incremental Lenders” hereunder). The Incremental Term Loans to be made pursuant to any such agreement between GEO and any such Incremental Lenders in response to any such request by GEO shall be deemed to be a separate “Series” of Incremental Term Loans hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:

(1) the First Lien Leverage Ratio after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Incremental Term Loans (and the use of proceeds therefrom) on a pro forma basis (but without netting cash proceeds thereof) shall not exceed 2.25:1.00;

(2) the minimum aggregate principal amount of Incremental Term Loan Commitments entered into pursuant to any such request (and, accordingly, the minimum aggregate principal amount of any Series of Incremental Term Loans) shall be (A) $20,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000 or (B) any other amount consented to by the Administrative Agent; (3) the Incremental Term Loans shall be subject to, and entitled to the benefits of, the collateral security and Guarantees provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents on an equal and ratable basis with each other Loan hereunder;

 

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(4) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Incremental Term Loans of any Series shall have the interest rate and upfront, participation and other fees as shall be agreed upon by GEO and the applicable Incremental Lenders; provided that if the All-In-Yield relating to such Incremental Term Loans that are secured on a pari passu basis and having equal payment priority with the Term Loans exceeds the All-In-Yield relating to the Term Loans in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of such Incremental Term Loan Amendment by more than 0.50%, the All-In-Yield relating to the Term Loans shall be adjusted to be equal to the All-In-Yield relating to the Incremental Term Loans minus 0.50%;

(5) the Incremental Term Loans of any Series shall (i) have the commitment reduction schedule (if any), amortization and maturity date as shall be agreed upon by GEO and the applicable Incremental Lenders; provided that (A) the maturity for such Series of Incremental Term Loans shall not be earlier than the latest Maturity Date and (B) the weighted average-life-to-maturity for such Series of Incremental Term Loans shall not be shorter than the weighted average-life-to-maturity for the Term Loans and the Revolving Credit Commitments, and (ii) share in any mandatory prepayment (other than scheduled amortization payments) of Loans hereunder on a pro rata basis as provided in Section 2.10(b); provided that GEO and the applicable Incremental Lenders shall be permitted, in their sole discretion, to elect to prepay or receive, as applicable, any such prepayments on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis); and

(6) the Incremental Term Loans of any Series shall be subject to such conditions to effectiveness and initial credit extension as shall be agreed upon by the applicable Incremental Lenders, GEO and the Administrative Agent (which agreement by the Administrative Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided that GEO shall be in compliance with Section 5.11(c) as of such date; provided, further, that GEO and the applicable Incremental Lenders shall be permitted to modify or waive (without the need for consent or approval from any other Lender or the Administrative Agent) any or all of the conditions to the initial Borrowing of the applicable Incremental Term Loans (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any requirements hereunder with respect to any Incremental Term Loan Commitment itself, including, without limitation, clauses (1) through (5) above) set forth in this Agreement, including Section 4.02 (other than with respect to (x) the absence of any Event of Default under any of Sections 7.01(a), (b), (h), (i) or (j), (y) the accuracy of customary “specified representations” or (z) the immediately preceding proviso), in any transaction where the net cash proceeds of such Incremental Term Loan will be used to fund a Permitted Acquisition or other acquisition permitted under this Agreement.

Following the acceptance by GEO of the offers made by any one or more Lenders to make any Series of Incremental Term Loans pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.01(e), each such Incremental Lender in respect of such Series of Incremental Term Loans severally agrees, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make such Incremental Term Loans to GEO on a Business Day during the period from and including the date of such acceptance to and including the commitment termination date specified in the agreement entered into with respect to such Series (such agreement, an “Incremental Term Loan Amendment”) in an aggregate principal amount up to but not exceeding the amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Incremental Lender in respect of such Series as in effect from time to time.

 

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Amounts prepaid or repaid in respect of Incremental Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, the Lenders hereby irrevocably agree that the Administrative Agent, the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loan Commitments and the applicable Loan Parties may effect amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents of a technical or administrative nature (without any further consent of any other party to such Loan Document) as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and GEO, in order to establish and implement any Incremental Term Loans or Commitments in respect thereof pursuant to, and in accordance with, this Section 2.01(e).

(f) Incremental Equivalent Debt. The Borrowers may, upon the delivery to the Administrative Agent of notice thereof specifying in reasonable detail the proposed terms thereof not less than ten days, and not more than sixty days, prior to the proposed effective date thereof (the “Incremental Equivalent Debt Effective Date”), issue or incur, in lieu of Incremental Term Loans, Indebtedness consisting of one or more series of senior secured first lien notes, junior lien notes, junior lien loans, subordinated notes or senior unsecured notes or unsecured loans, in each case, issued in a public offering, Rule 144A or other private placement transactions, or secured or unsecured mezzanine Indebtedness or debt securities (such Indebtedness, collectively, “Incremental Equivalent Debt”), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the sum of (i) so long as the First Lien Leverage Ratio after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Equivalent Debt (and the use of proceeds therefrom) on a pro forma basis (but without netting cash proceeds thereof) does not exceed 2.25:1.00, the Incremental Amount plus (ii) so long as each of the Total Leverage Ratio and the First Lien Leverage Ratio after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Equivalent Debt (and the use of proceeds therefrom) on a pro forma basis (but without netting cash proceeds thereof) do not exceed the Total Leverage Ratio and the First Lien Leverage Ratio, respectively, immediately prior to such incurrence, an amount equal to the amount of Term Loans substantially concurrently repaid with the proceeds of such Incremental Equivalent Debt (any such refinancing under this clause (ii), a “Specified Term Loan Refinancing”), it being understood and agreed that (x) any Specified Term Loan Refinancing shall be subject to the other terms of this Agreement relating to prepayment of the Term Loans, including, without limitation, Section 2.10 and (y) the prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Specified Term Loan Refinancing will not (except with respect to Incremental Equivalent Debt as set forth in this clause (ii)) increase the capacity to incur Indebtedness under this Agreement.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:

(1) such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall not at any time be incurred by any Person other than a Borrower or guaranteed by any Person other than a Loan Party, and, if secured, such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall not be secured by property other than the Collateral, and a representative acting on behalf of the lenders or investors providing such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall have entered into an Intercreditor Agreement and a subordination agreement (if applicable), in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (2) Section 2.01(e)(2), (4), (5) and (6) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to such Incremental Equivalent Debt; and

 

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(3) except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, (x) the pricing (including interest, fees and premiums), optional prepayment and redemption terms with respect such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall be determined by the Borrowers and the lenders or investors providing such Incremental Equivalent Debt, and (y) the other terms of such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall be, when taken as a whole, no more favorable (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent) to the lenders or investors providing such Incremental Equivalent Debt than those applicable to the Term Loans (except to the extent (A) such terms are added in the Loan Documents for the benefit of the Term Lenders pursuant to an amendment hereto or thereto subject solely to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent or (B) applicable solely to periods after the latest Maturity Date existing at the time of such incurrence).

Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.

(a) Obligations of Lenders. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b) Type of Loans. Subject to Section 2.12, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or of SOFR Loans as GEO may request in accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Loan shall be denominated in Dollars. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan or provide any other extension of credit or fund any other obligation hereunder by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) Minimum Amounts; Limitation on Number of Borrowings. Each SOFR Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of $2,500,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000. Each ABR Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount equal to $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments of the applicable Class or (in the case of a Revolving Credit ABR Borrowing) that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(f). Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount equal to $100,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000. Borrowings of more than one Class and Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of eight SOFR Borrowings outstanding.

(d) Limitations on Interest Periods. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Borrower shall be entitled to request (or to elect to convert to or continue as a SOFR Borrowing):

 

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(i) any Revolving Credit Borrowing if the Interest Period requested therefor would end after the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date;

(ii) any Term Borrowing if the Interest Period requested therefor would end after the applicable Term Loan Maturity Date;

(iii) any Term Borrowing of any Class, if the Interest Period requested therefor would commence before and end after any Principal Payment Date unless, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans of such Class having Interest Periods that end after such Principal Payment Date shall be equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans of such Class permitted to be outstanding after giving effect to the payments of principal required to be made on such Principal Payment Date; and

(iv) any Borrowing of a Series of Incremental Term Loans if the Interest Period requested therefor would commence before and end after (x) the final maturity date for such Series or (y) any date specified for the amortization of such Series unless, in the case of this clause (y), after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans of such Series having Interest Periods that end after such date shall be equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans of such Series permitted to be outstanding after giving effect to the payments of principal required to be made on such date.

Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings.

(a) Notices. To request a Borrowing, GEO shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request (i) in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, three U.S. Government Securities Business Days (or, in the case of a SOFR Borrowing to be made on the Effective Date, one (1) U.S. Government Securities Business Day) before the date of the proposed Borrowing, or (ii) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than noon, New York City time, one (1) Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of a Revolving Credit ABR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(f) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, one (1) Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be signed by GEO.

(b) Content of Borrowing Requests. Each Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) whether the requested Borrowing is to be a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Term Borrowing or Incremental Borrowing;

(ii) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a SOFR Borrowing; (v) in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, the Interest Period therefor, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period” and permitted under Section 2.02(d); and

 

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(vi) the location and number of the account of a Borrower to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06.

(c) Notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

(d) Failure to Elect. If no election as to the Type of a Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested SOFR Borrowing, GEO shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

Section 2.04 Swingline Loans.

(a) Agreement to Make Swingline Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Revolving Credit Availability Period, in Dollars, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the Swingline Sublimit or (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Revolving Credit Commitments, provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b) Notice of Swingline Loans. To request a Swingline Loan, GEO shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request in writing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from GEO. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrowers by means of a credit to the general deposit account of a Borrower (as designated by GEO in writing) with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), by remittance to the respective Issuing Lender) by 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(c) Participations by Lenders in Swingline Loans. The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Credit Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Credit Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Credit Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.

 

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Each Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above in this Section 2.04(c), to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall comply with its obligation under this Section 2.04(c) by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Credit Lender.

The Administrative Agent shall notify GEO of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 2.04(c), and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrowers (or other party on behalf of the Borrowers) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 2.04(c) and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear, provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof.

Section 2.05 Letters of Credit.

(a) General.

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in addition to the Loans provided for in Section 2.01, GEO may request any Issuing Lender to issue, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Credit Availability Period, Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrowers in such form as is acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Lender in its reasonable determination, which Letters of Credit may be denominated in Dollars or, with the applicable Issuing Lender’s consent (in its sole discretion) in any Agreed Foreign Currency. Letters of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder shall constitute utilization of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

(ii) Subject to the requirements and conditions set forth in the definition of “Rollover Letters of Credit” in Section 1.01, following written notice from GEO to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall have been acknowledged and accepted by the relevant Issuing Lender), each Rollover Letter of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto on the date the relevant Permitted Acquisition shall have been consummated, and as of and from such date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

 

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(iii) On the Effective Date, and notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be rolled over and shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit that have been issued pursuant to this Section 2.05, and accordingly, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be entitled to receive all of the benefits of, and be bound by, the terms contained herein and in the other Loan Documents.

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal or Extension; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

(i) To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), GEO shall deliver to an Issuing Lender (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with Section 2.05(d)), the amount and Currency of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. Such notice may be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by electronic transmission using the system provided by the applicable Issuing Lender. Such notice shall be given to the Issuing Lender and all Revolving Credit Lenders (i) in the case of a Letter of Credit to be denominated in Dollars, not later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed issuance, amendment, renewal or extension and (ii) in the case of a Letter of Credit to be denominated in a Foreign Currency, not later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days (or four Business Days if longer notice is determined by the applicable Issuing Lender to be required) before the date of the proposed issuance, amendment, renewal or extension. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02, the Issuing Lender may, in its sole discretion, issue, amend, renew or extend the requested Letter of Credit only in accordance with the Issuing Lender’s standard operating procedures. The Issuing Lender shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the issuance of any Letter of Credit and upon request by any such Lender, furnish to such Lender a copy of such Letter of Credit and the amount of such Lender’s participation therein.

(ii) If GEO or the Borrowers so request in any applicable application for a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Lender to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued.

 

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Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Lender to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date; provided, however, that the Issuing Lender shall not permit any such extension if (A) the Issuing Lender has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (iii) of Section 2.05(c) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or any Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the Issuing Lender not to permit such extension.

(iii) [Reserved].

(iv) If requested by the applicable Issuing Lender, the Borrowers shall also submit a Letter of Credit application on such Issuing Lender’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.

(v) In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Letter of Credit Documents, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(c) Limitations.

(i) A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if, after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, (A) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed the LC Sublimit, (B) the total Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the total Revolving Credit Commitments, and (C) any Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall be deemed to represent and warrant as to the foregoing).

(ii) [Reserved].

(iii) Any Issuing Lender shall not be under any obligation to issue or extend or renew any Letter of Credit if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that such Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which such Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it.

 

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(d) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Lender and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date; provided, that such date may be later than the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date if and so long as such Letter of Credit is cash collateralized no later than such fifth prior Business Day in accordance with Section 2.05(k).

(e) Participations.

(i) By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) by any Issuing Lender, and without any further action on the part of such Issuing Lender or the Lenders, such Issuing Lender hereby grants to each Revolving Credit Lender, and each Revolving Credit Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Lender, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this Section 2.05(e)(i) in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments.

(ii) In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Issuing Lender, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Dollar Equivalent of each LC Disbursement made by an Issuing Lender promptly upon the request of such Issuing Lender at any time from the time of such LC Disbursement until such LC Disbursement is reimbursed by the Borrowers or at any time after any reimbursement payment is required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. Such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each such payment shall be made in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the respective Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Credit Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.05(f), the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the respective Issuing Lender or, to the extent that the Revolving Credit Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Lender, then to such Revolving Credit Lenders and such Issuing Lender as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Lender for any LC Disbursement shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

 

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(f) Reimbursement. If an Issuing Lender shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such Issuing Lender in respect of such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such LC Disbursement not later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that any Borrower receives notice of such LC Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that any Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time; provided that, if the Dollar Equivalent of such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrowers may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or Section 2.04 that such payment be financed with a Revolving Credit ABR Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Revolving Credit ABR Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Dollar Equivalent thereof.

(g) Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers’ obligations to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in Section 2.05(f) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement in such draft or other document being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the respective Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply strictly with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.05(g), constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder.

Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Lender, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit by the respective Issuing Lender or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder) or any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any Issuing Lender; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse an Issuing Lender from liability to the Borrowers, to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrowers that are caused by such Issuing Lender’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Lender (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination, and that:

 

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(i) any Issuing Lender may accept documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and may make payment upon presentation of documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

(ii) any Issuing Lender shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to decline to accept such documents and to decline to make such payment if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and

(iii) this sentence shall establish the standard of care to be exercised by each Issuing Lender when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof (and the parties hereto hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any standard of care inconsistent with the foregoing).

(h) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Lender for any Letter of Credit shall, within a reasonable time following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Lender shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and GEO in writing of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Lender has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrowers of their respective obligations to reimburse such Issuing Lender and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(i) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Lender for any Letter of Credit shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum equal to the rate per annum then applicable to Revolving Credit ABR Loans; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such applicable LC Disbursement when due pursuant to Section 2.05(f), then Section 2.12(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this Section 2.05(i) shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to Section 2.05(f) to reimburse such Issuing Lender shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(j) Replacement of an Issuing Lender. Any Issuing Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement between GEO, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Lender and the successor Issuing Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Lender. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the applicable Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Lender” shall be deemed to include, as applicable, such successor or any previous Issuing Lender, or such successor and all previous Issuing Lenders, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Lender hereunder, the replaced Issuing Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

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(k) Cash Collateralization. If (i) any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that GEO receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Revolving Credit Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Credit Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral, (ii) the Borrowers shall be required to provide cover for LC Exposure pursuant to Section 2.10(c), or (iii) GEO shall elect to extend the expiration date of any Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05(d), the Borrowers shall immediately deposit into a cash collateral account established at a banking institution selected by the Administrative Agent (the “Collateral Account”), which account may be a “securities account” (within the meaning of Section 8-501 of the UCC as in effect in the State of New York), in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, an amount in cash equal to 103% of the Dollar Equivalent of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and, in the case of cover pursuant to Section 2.10(c), the amount required under Section 2.10(c); provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to any Borrower described in Sections 7.01(h) or (i). Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement in respect of the Lenders’ LC Exposure and the other amounts contemplated by this paragraph.

The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the Collateral Account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrowers’ risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the Collateral Account. Moneys in the Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse each Issuing Lender for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of all Lenders with LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of (i) the occurrence of an Event of Default, (ii) pursuant to Section 2.10(c)(ii) or (iii) pursuant to Section 2.05(d), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to GEO within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived (in the case of clause (i) of this sentence), as provided in said Section 2.10(c)(ii) (in the case of clause (ii) of this sentence) or after the termination of the applicable Letter of Credit (in the case of clause (iii) of this sentence).

 

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(l) Applicability of ISP and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Lender and GEO when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

Section 2.06 Funding of Borrowings.

(a) Funding by Lenders. Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent shall make such Loans available to GEO (in the case of Term Loans) or the Borrowers (in the case of Revolving Credit Loans) by promptly wiring the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of GEO (in the case of Term Loans) or the Borrowers (in the case of Revolving Credit Loans) designated by GEO in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that Revolving Credit ABR Borrowings made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the respective Issuing Lender.

(b) Presumption by the Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.06(a) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available a corresponding amount to GEO (in the case of any Term Borrowing), or the Borrowers (in the case of any Revolving Credit Borrowing). In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and GEO (in the case of any Term Borrowing), the Borrowers (in the case of any Revolving Credit Borrowing) severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to GEO or any Borrower, as applicable, to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to GEO (in the case of any such interest in respect of a Term Borrowing), or the Borrowers (in the case of any such interest in respect of a Revolving Credit Borrowing) the amount of such interest paid by GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall be without prejudice to any claim GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 2.07 Interest Elections.

(a) Elections by GEO for Borrowings. The Loans comprising each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, shall have the Interest Period specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, GEO may elect to convert such Borrowing to a Borrowing of a different Type or to continue such Borrowing as a Borrowing of the same Type and, in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, may elect the Interest Period therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.07. GEO may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) Notice of Elections. To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.07, GEO shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if GEO were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be in writing in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by GEO.

(c) Content of Interest Election Requests. Each Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a SOFR Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a SOFR Borrowing, the Interest Period therefor after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period” and permitted under Section 2.02(d).

(d) Notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders. Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) Failure to Elect; Events of Default. If GEO fails to deliver a timely and complete Interest Election Request with respect to a SOFR Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, then, unless such SOFR Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, GEO shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders so notifies GEO, then, so long as such Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a SOFR Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each SOFR Borrowing shall automatically be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period therefor.

 

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Section 2.08 Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Increase of Revolving Credit Commitments.

(a) Scheduled Termination. Unless previously terminated, (i) the Term Loan Commitments shall terminate in full at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective Date, (ii) the Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate in full on the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date, and (iii) the Incremental Term Loan Commitments of any Series shall terminate in full on the close of business on the commitment termination date specified in the agreement establishing such Series pursuant to Section 2.01(e).

(b) Voluntary Termination or Reduction. GEO may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each partial reduction of the Commitments of any Class pursuant to this Section 2.08(b) shall be in an amount that is $3,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000 and (ii) GEO shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Revolving Credit Commitments.

(c) Notice of Voluntary Termination or Reduction. GEO shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments of any Class under Section 2.08(b) at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by GEO pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments of any Class delivered by GEO may state that such notice is conditioned upon the receipt of funds under other credit facilities, the effectiveness of other credit facilities or pursuant to an Equity Issuance, or the consummation of any transaction that would otherwise require the consent of one or more Lenders hereunder, in which case such notice may be revoked by GEO (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

(d) Effect of Termination or Reduction. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

(e) Increase of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

(i) Requests for Increase. GEO may, from time to time at any time prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date, propose that the Revolving Credit Commitments be increased (each such proposed increase being a “Revolving Credit Commitment Increase”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Incremental Amount.

 

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Each such proposal shall be made by notice to the Administrative Agent, specifying each existing Lender (each an “Increasing Lender”) and/or each additional lender (each an “Assuming Lender”) that shall have agreed (in its sole discretion) to increase or to assume a Revolving Credit Commitment and the date on which such increase or assumption is to be effective (the “Commitment Increase Date”), which shall be a Business Day at least three Business Days after delivery of such notice and at least 30 days prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date; provided that:

(A) the First Lien Leverage Ratio after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase (and the use of proceeds therefrom) on a pro forma basis (assuming the full amount of such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase is drawn and without netting cash proceeds thereof) shall not exceed 2.25:1.00;

(B) the minimum amount of any such increase shall be (1) $20,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000 or (2) any other amount consented to by the Administrative Agent, and the minimum amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Assuming Lender, and the minimum amount of the increase of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Increasing Lender, as part of such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase shall be $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

(C) [reserved];

(D) GEO shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of GEO stating that, on and as of such Commitment Increase Date, (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as if made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date);

(E) each Assuming Lender shall be acceptable to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender in the reasonable exercise of their discretion; and

(F) GEO shall be in compliance with Section 5.11(c) as of such Commitment Increase Date.

(ii) Effectiveness of Revolving Credit Commitment Increase. Each Assuming Lender, if any, shall become a Revolving Credit Lender hereunder as of such Commitment Increase Date and the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Increasing Lender and such Assuming Lender shall be increased as of such Commitment Increase Date; provided that:

(A) each Assuming Lender or Increasing Lender shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time on such Commitment Increase Date (or on or prior to a later time on such date, or on an earlier date, in each case specified by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), an agreement (a “Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Amendment”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to GEO and the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which such Lender shall, effective as of such Commitment Increase Date, undertake a Revolving Credit Commitment or an increase of Revolving Credit Commitment duly executed by such Assuming Lender or Increasing Lender and each Borrower and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent; and (B) the Administrative Agent shall have received on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Commitment Increase Date (or on or prior to a later time on such date, or on an earlier date, in each case specified by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) such proof of corporate action, opinions of counsel and other documents as is consistent with those delivered by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 4.01 and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, any Assuming Lender and/or any Increasing Lender in connection with such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase.

 

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Promptly following satisfaction of such conditions, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders (including any Assuming Lenders) thereof and of the occurrence of the Commitment Increase Date.

(iii) Recordation into Register. Upon its receipt of a Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Amendment (together with any applicable Lender Addendum) executed by an Assuming Lender or any Increasing Lender, together with the certificate referred to in clause (i)(D) above and the satisfaction of the conditions referred to in clause (ii)(B) above, the Administrative Agent shall, if such agreement (and any applicable Lender Addendum) has been completed, (x) accept such agreement (and any Lender Addenda thereto), (y) record the information contained therein in the Register and (z) give prompt notice thereof to GEO.

(iv) Adjustments of Borrowings. On the Commitment Increase Date, the Borrowers shall (A) prepay in full the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (if any) made to them, (B) simultaneously borrow new Revolving Credit Loans hereunder in an amount equal to such prepayment and (C) pay to the Revolving Credit Lenders the amounts, if any, payable under Section 2.14 as a result of any such prepayment; provided that with respect to subclauses (A) and (B) hereinabove, (x) the prepayment to, and borrowing from, any existing Lender shall be effected by book entry to the extent that any portion of the amount prepaid to such Lender will be subsequently borrowed from such Lender and (y) the existing Lenders, the Increasing Lenders and the Assuming Lenders shall make and receive payments among themselves, in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, so that, after giving effect thereto, the Revolving Credit Borrowings are held ratably by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with the respective Revolving Credit Commitments of the Revolving Credit Lenders (after giving effect to such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase). Concurrently therewith, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be deemed to have adjusted their participation interests in any outstanding RCF LCs and Swingline Loans so that such interests are held ratably in accordance with their Revolving Credit Commitments as so increased.

 

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Section 2.09 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

(a) Term Loan Repayment. GEO hereby unconditionally promises to repay:

(i) the Term Loans, to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Term Lenders, (x) commencing with the Principal Payment Date occurring on June 30, 2024, on each Principal Payment Date prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date, in each case in an amount equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount of the Term Loans made on the Effective Date (as such payments may be reduced from time to time as a result of the application of (1) any prepayment in accordance with Section 2.09(c) or (2) any deemed cancellation pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 9.04(b)), and (y) on the Term Loan Maturity Date, in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans outstanding on the Term Loan Maturity Date;

(ii) [reserved];

(iii) [reserved]; and

(iv) any Incremental Term Loans to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Incremental Lender of any Series, the principal of the Incremental Term Loans of such Series on the dates and in the amounts specified in the agreement establishing such Series pursuant to Section 2.01(e).

(b) Revolving Credit Loans Repayment. The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to repay:

(i) to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date; and

(ii) the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Swingline Lender or, to the extent required by Section 2.04(c), to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, on the earlier of the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Credit Borrowing is made, the Borrowers shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(c) Adjustment of Amortization Schedule. Any prepayment of a Term Borrowing of any Class, shall be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled repayments of the applicable Term Borrowings to be made pursuant to this Section 2.09 (i) in the case of any optional prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.10(a), as directed by GEO and (ii) in the case of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant in Section 2.10(b), in direct order of maturity.

(d) Manner of Payment. Prior to any repayment or prepayment of any Borrowings of any Class hereunder, and subject (in the case of a prepayment) to any applicable provisions of Section 2.10, GEO shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the applicable Class to be paid and shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of such selection not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the scheduled date of such repayment; provided that each repayment of Borrowings of any Class shall be applied to repay any outstanding ABR Borrowings of such Class before any other Borrowings of such Class.

 

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If GEO fails to make a timely selection of the Borrowing or Borrowings to be repaid or prepaid, such payment shall be applied, first, to pay any outstanding ABR Borrowings of the applicable Class and, second, to other Borrowings of such Class in the order of the remaining duration of their respective Interest Periods (the Borrowing with the shortest remaining Interest Period to be repaid first). Each payment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in such Borrowing.

(e) Maintenance of Records by Lenders. Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice records evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(f) Maintenance of Records by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall maintain records in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and each Interest Period therefor, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(g) Effect of Entries. The entries made in the records maintained pursuant to Sections 2.09(e) or (f) shall be prima facie evidence, absent manifest error, of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such records or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(h) Promissory Notes. Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a Note. In such event, GEO (in the case of any Term Loan Note) or the Borrowers (in the case of any Revolving Credit Loan Note), as applicable, shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a Note payable to such Lender and its registered assigns.

Section 2.10 Prepayment of Loans.

(a) Optional Prepayments. GEO or Corrections, as applicable, shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section and, if applicable, Section 2.22. In the event that all or any portion of the Term Loans are prepaid (including by conversion, extension or amendment with similar effect) pursuant to this Section 2.10(a), GEO shall pay in cash to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the Term Lenders, a Prepayment Premium pursuant to Section 2.10(d). Each prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.10(a) shall be without Prepayment Premium.

 

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(b) Mandatory Prepayments. GEO or Corrections, as applicable, will prepay the Loans as follows:

(i) Casualty Events. Upon the date 270 days following the receipt by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of the proceeds of insurance, condemnation award or other compensation in respect of any Casualty Event after the Effective Date affecting any property of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or upon such earlier date as GEO or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have determined not to repair or replace the property affected by such Casualty Event), so long as the aggregate amount of Net Available Proceeds of such Casualty Event exceeds $5,000,000, GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount, if any, equal to 100% of the Net Available Proceeds of such Casualty Event not theretofore applied or committed to be applied (and if committed to be applied, not actually applied within 450 days following the receipt of such proceeds) to the repair or replacement of such property, such prepayment and/or reduction to be effected in each case in the manner and to the extent specified in Section 2.10(b)(v). Nothing in this clause (i) shall be deemed to limit any obligation of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any of the Security Documents to remit to a collateral or similar account maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any of the Security Documents the proceeds of insurance, condemnation award or other compensation received in respect of any Casualty Event.

(ii) Sale of Assets. If (A)(x) the Net Available Proceeds of any individual Disposition, excluding the Disposition of Delaney Hall, received after the Effective Date exceed $5,000,000 and are equal to or less than $50,000,000 and (y) the Total Leverage Ratio after giving effect to such Disposition on a pro forma basis exceeds 2.75:1.00 or (B) the Net Available Proceeds of any individual Disposition, excluding the Disposition of Delaney Hall, received after the Effective Date exceed $50,000,000, then, in each case, promptly upon the consummation of such Disposition (and in any event within 5 Business Days thereof), GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, will prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Proceeds of such Disposition, such prepayment and/or reduction to be effected in each case in the manner and to the extent specified in Section 2.10(b)(v). Notwithstanding the foregoing, GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall not be required to make a prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.10(b)(ii) with respect to the Net Available Proceeds from any Disposition, if (x) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or during the Applicable Period (prior to the date the Net Available Proceeds are used or otherwise invested as provided in this sentence) and (y) such Net Available Proceeds are used for one or more acquisitions or otherwise reinvested in the Permitted Business of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries within the Applicable Period (as defined below) for such Disposition (it being understood that Net Available Proceeds shall be deemed to be used in the same order in which the related Dispositions occurred); provided that any such Net Available Proceeds not so used on or before the last day of the Applicable Period for such Disposition shall be forthwith applied as provided above. For purposes hereof, “Applicable Period” means, with respect to any Disposition, the period starting on the day such Disposition is consummated and ending on the date falling 270 days thereafter, except that if GEO or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary agrees in a legally binding commitment to reinvest the Net Available Proceeds from such Disposition (pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence) in the construction and equipping of one or more Facilities on or before such 270th day, the Applicable Period for such Disposition shall be extended automatically by 18 months.

 

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Prior to or substantially concurrently with the consummation of any Disposition, GEO shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to the Lenders) a statement, certified by a Financial Officer of GEO, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of the amount of the Net Available Proceeds of such Disposition (except that such statement shall not be required for any Disposition the Net Available Proceeds of which are less than or equal to $50,000,000); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, such certified statement may be supplemented or modified in writing by such Financial Officer solely as to such amount of Net Available Proceeds if and to the extent (and during such time as) a corresponding supplement or modification shall be delivered by such Financial Officer pursuant to the final proviso to the definition of “Net Available Proceeds” set forth in Section 1.01.

(iii) Excess Cash Flow. Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024, GEO, shall, no later than five (5) Business Days after the date that financial statements for such fiscal quarter are delivered (or required to be delivered) pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, prepay the Loans in each case in the manner and to the extent specified in Section 2.10(b)(v), in an aggregate amount equal to the Applicable ECF Percentage of such Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal quarter.

(iv) [Reserved].

(v) Application. Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements, and except as otherwise provided in Section 7.02, prepayments shall be applied as follows:

first, ratably between the Term Loans and each Series of Incremental Term Loans (if any) in accordance with the respective sums at such time of the aggregate amount of such outstanding Term Loans and Incremental Term Loans (subject to the terms of any Incremental Term Loan Amendment providing for prepayment on a less than pro rata basis);

second, to prepay Swingline Loans (with no corresponding permanent reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments);

third, to pay unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties; and

fourth, to prepay Revolving Credit Loans (with no corresponding permanent reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender may decline any such mandatory prepayment to which it is otherwise entitled.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent (and only for so long as) the repatriation to the United States of cash that would otherwise constitute Net Available Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that the applicable Borrower must apply to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.10(b)(i), (ii) or (iii), as applicable, (x) is prohibited or delayed by applicable local Law or the terms of any Subsidiary’s or joint venture’s organizational documents or (y) would, in GEO’s reasonable good-faith determination (as made in consultation with the Administrative Agent), result in material adverse Tax consequences to GEO or its Restricted Subsidiaries, then after the Borrowers’ use of commercially reasonable efforts to eliminate such delay or Tax consequences, the applicable Borrower may exclude the affected portion of such Net Available Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, as applicable, in calculating the amount of such Net Available Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow required to be applied to prepay the Loans.

 

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The Borrowers’ determinations pursuant to this paragraph shall be set forth in a reasonably detailed certificate of a Financial Officer of GEO delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the date the prepayment would otherwise be due.

(c) Mandatory Prepayments due to Changes in Exchange Rates.

(i) Determination of Amount Outstanding. On each Quarterly Date prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date, on each date that GEO shall request a Revolving Credit Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit and, in addition, promptly upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Currency Valuation Notice (as defined below), the Administrative Agent shall determine the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure. For the purpose of this determination, the outstanding face amount of any Letter of Credit that is denominated in any Foreign Currency shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the amount in the Foreign Currency of such Letter of Credit, determined as of such Quarterly Date, date of such proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing, Swingline Borrowing, issuance, amendment, renewal or extension or, in the case of a Currency Valuation Notice received by the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on a Business Day, on such Business Day or, in the case of a Currency Valuation Notice otherwise received, on the first Business Day after such Currency Valuation Notice is received. Upon making such determination, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Revolving Credit Lenders and GEO thereof.

(ii) Prepayment and Cover. If, on the date of such determination (after giving effect to any prior or substantially concurrent deposit made by the Borrowers, at their option, to the Collateral Account) either (x) the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments (such excess, an “RCF Excess”), the Borrowers shall, if requested by the Administrative Agent, within five Business Days following GEO’s receipt of such request:

(A) if any Swingline Loans or Revolving Credit Loans are outstanding, prepay all such Swingline Loans and Revolving Credit Loans or such portion thereof as is sufficient to eliminate the RCF Excess, and

(B) if such prepayment is not sufficient to eliminate the RCF Excess, provide cover for the LC Exposure pursuant to Section 2.05(k) in an amount sufficient to eliminate the RCF Excess.

(iii) Release of Cover. If, on the date of such determination, the amount of the cover provided by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.10(c)(ii)(B) and then held by the Administrative Agent exceeds the RCF Excess (such excess, a “Refundable Excess”) on such date (or if such RCF Excess is less than or equal to zero), and no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, if requested by GEO, within three Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such request, return to the Borrowers the amount of the Refundable Excess (or, if the RCF Excess is less than or equal to zero, the full amount of such cover).

 

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For purposes hereof, “Currency Valuation Notice” means a notice given by the Required Revolving Credit Lenders or any Issuing Lender to the Administrative Agent stating that such notice is a “Currency Valuation Notice” and requesting that the Administrative Agent determine the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure.

Any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10(c)(ii)(A) shall be applied, first, to Swingline Loans outstanding and second, to Revolving Credit Loans outstanding.

(d) Prepayment Premium. In the event that (i) all or any portion of the Term Loans are prepaid (x) pursuant to Section 2.10(a), or (y) without duplication of amounts payable pursuant to clause (ii) below, pursuant to any foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed in lieu of foreclosure, sale or other disposition of or realization upon any Collateral or any other satisfaction, release, restructuring, reorganization, defeasance or compromise of any Obligations in any insolvency or other similar proceeding (under Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise), or (ii) automatically upon any acceleration of the Term Loans (or any portion thereof) pursuant to Section 7.01 (including an automatic acceleration following any event with respect to any Borrower described in Section 7.01(h) or (i)) (each of the events set forth in clauses (i) and (ii), a “Prepayment Premium Trigger Event”), GEO shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the Term Lenders, a prepayment premium (each, a “Prepayment Premium”) in the amount of, if such prepayment is made, (a) prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan that is being so prepaid, (b) on or after the first anniversary of the Effective Date but prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan that is being so prepaid, (c) on or after the second anniversary of the Effective Date 0.00%. Such amounts shall be deemed earned on the Effective Date and shall be due and payable on the date of such prepayment.

(e) Notices, Etc. GEO shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) in writing of any prepayment hereunder not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days before the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid, any other information required to be in such notice pursuant to Section 2.09(d) and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of any Term Loan Commitments, the Incremental Term Loan Commitments or the Revolving Credit Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.08, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08 or if a notice of prepayment of any Term Loans is conditioned upon the receipt of funds under other credit facilities, the effectiveness of other credit facilities or pursuant to an Equity Issuance, or the consummation of any transaction that would otherwise require the consent of one or more Lenders hereunder, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked by GEO (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the relevant Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment.

 

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Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.

Section 2.11 Fees.

(a) Commitment Fees. The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender (to be allocated ratably among such Lenders in accordance with the amounts of such fees then due to such Lenders) a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date such Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on each Quarterly Date and on the date the relevant Commitment terminates, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing commitment fees with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Revolving Credit Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and outstanding LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

(b) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrowers agree to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender (to be allocated ratably among such Lenders in accordance with the amounts of such fees then due to such Lenders) a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate applicable to interest on Revolving Credit SOFR Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) in respect of performance Letters of Credit or other Letters of Credit, as applicable, during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Lender a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between GEO and such Issuing Lender on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure in respect of any such Letter of Credit, as well as such Issuing Lender’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including each Quarterly Date shall be payable on the third Business Day following such Quarterly Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.11(b) shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All such participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

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(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved].

(e) Administrative Agent Fees. The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Fee Letter.

(f) Payment of Fees. All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the respective Issuing Lender in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees, participation fees and closing fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

Section 2.12 Interest.

(a) ABR Loans. The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) SOFR Loans. The Loans comprising each SOFR Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR for the Interest Period for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Default Interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(i) all interest, fees and other amounts payable by the Borrowers hereunder (other than any such amounts solely in respect of any SOFR Borrowing) not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to 2% plus the rate applicable to Revolving Credit ABR Loans as provided in Section 2.12(a); and

(ii) all interest, fees and other amounts payable by the Borrowers hereunder solely in respect of a SOFR Borrowing not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to 2% plus (x) until the end of the then current Interest Period applicable to such SOFR Borrowing, the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in Section 2.12(b), or (y) from and after the end of the then current Interest Period applicable to such SOFR Borrowing, the rate applicable to Revolving Credit ABR Loans as provided in Section 2.12(a).

 

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(d) Payment of Interest. Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable by the Borrowers in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Credit Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to Section 2.12(c) shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Revolving Credit ABR Loan prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any SOFR Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Borrowing shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) Computation. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Term SOFR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(f) Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate. If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of GEO or for any other reason, GEO, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders determine that (i) the Total Leverage Ratio or the First Lien Leverage Ratio as calculated by GEO as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Total Leverage Ratio or the First Lien Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This Section 2.12(f) shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, under Section 2.05(i), 2.11(a), 2.11(b) or 2.12(c) or under Article VII. GEO’s or the Borrowers’ respective obligations under this Section 2.12(f) shall not terminate until the payment by GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, of the principal of and interest on the applicable Loans and all other outstanding obligations owing by them under the Loan Documents, the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit and the expiration or termination of the Commitments if at such time no demand shall have been made for payment (and no amount shall have become automatically due) under this Section 2.12(f).

(g) Alternate Rate of Interest. Subject to Section 2.24, if prior to the commencement of the Interest Period for any SOFR Borrowing:

(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining Term SOFR for such Interest Period; or

 

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(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders of the relevant Class that Term SOFR for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their respective Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to GEO and the Lenders by telephone or in writing as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies GEO and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or the continuation of any Borrowing as, a SOFR Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing (unless prepaid) shall be continued as, or converted to, an ABR Borrowing, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a SOFR Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

(h) Term SOFR Conforming Changes. In connection with the use or administration of Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use or administration of Term SOFR.

Section 2.13 Increased Costs.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender or any Issuing Lender;

(ii) subject any Lender or any Issuing Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any SOFR Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or such Issuing Lender in respect thereof (except for (A) Indemnified Taxes and (B) Taxes described in clauses (c) through (e) of the definition of Excluded Taxes); or

(iii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Lender any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or SOFR Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or any participation in such Loan or Letter of Credit;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any SOFR Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuing Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such Issuing Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or such Issuing Lender, GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

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(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or any Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such Issuing Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time GEO will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Lender setting forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Sections 2.13(a) or (b) and delivered to GEO shall be conclusive absent manifest error. GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.13 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies GEO of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

Section 2.14 Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period therefor (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice is permitted to be revocable under Section 2.10(c) and is revoked in accordance herewith), or (d) the assignment as a result of a request by GEO pursuant to Section 2.17(b) of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, then, in any such event, GEO (with respect to any such Term Borrowing) or the Borrowers (with respect to any such Revolving Credit Borrowing), as applicable, shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.

 

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A certificate of any Lender setting forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for determining such amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be delivered to GEO and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

Section 2.15 Taxes.

(a) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Lender and the term “applicable Law” includes FATCA.

(b) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes; provided that if any Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall be required by applicable Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (i) solely to the extent such Taxes constitute Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the relevant Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made, (ii) the relevant Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall make such deductions and (iii) the relevant Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers. Without limiting the provisions of Section 2.15(b), the Borrowers shall timely pay (or cause to be paid), or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(d) Indemnification by the Borrowers. The Borrowers shall indemnify each Payee, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by any Payee or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to any such Payee and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to GEO by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrowers to a Governmental Authority, GEO shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(f) Status of Payees. Each Payee that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to GEO and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by GEO or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by GEO or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Payee, if reasonably requested by GEO or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by GEO or the Administrative Agent as will enable GEO or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Payee is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in paragraphs (A), (B) and (D) of Section 2.15(f)(ii)) shall not be required if in the Payee’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Payee to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Payee.

(i) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrowers are each U.S. Borrowers,

(A) any Payee that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to GEO and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which such Payee becomes a Payee under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of GEO or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Payee is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Payee shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to GEO and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or about the date on which such Foreign Payee becomes a Payee under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of GEO or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) in the case of a Foreign Payee claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

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(2) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI; (3) in the case of a Foreign Payee claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 to the effect that such Foreign Payee is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10-percent shareholder” of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Payee is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 or Exhibit B-3, IRS Form W-9, or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Payee is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Payee are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Payee may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to GEO and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of GEO or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit GEO or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Payee under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Payee were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Payee shall deliver to GEO and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by GEO or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by GEO or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for either Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Payee has complied with such Payee’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.15(f), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Effective Date.

Each Payee agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify GEO and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

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(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent or any Payee determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Borrower or with respect to which any Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to GEO an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of the Administrative Agent or such Payee, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that, GEO, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Payee, agrees to repay the amount paid over to GEO pursuant to this Section 2.15(g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Payee in the event the Administrative Agent or such Payee is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.15(g), in no event will the Administrative Agent or Payee, as applicable, be required to pay any amount to GEO pursuant to this Section 2.15(g) the payment of which would place the Administrative Agent or Payee, as applicable, in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Administrative Agent or Payee, as applicable, would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section 2.15(g) shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Payee to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to GEO or any other Person.

(h) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the relevant Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting any obligation of any relevant Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) for the full amount of any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or any Participant of such Lender (or, in the case of a Lender that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any direct or indirect beneficial owner of such Lender) that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Excluded Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set-off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.15(h).

(i) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.15 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitment and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Documents.

 

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Section 2.16 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs.

(a) Payments by the Borrowers. The Borrowers shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.13, Section 2.14 or Section 2.15, or otherwise), or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein), prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent, except as otherwise expressly provided in the relevant Loan Document and except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and payments pursuant to Section 2.13, Section 2.14, Section 2.15 and Section 9.03, which shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder (other than a payment of principal or interest on any Loan or the Prepayment Premium) shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be the next preceding Business Day. All amounts owing hereunder or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided herein or therein) shall be payable in Dollars.

(b) Application of Insufficient Payments. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, to pay principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein: (i) each termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments of a particular Class under Section 2.08 shall be applied to the respective Commitments of such Class of the relevant Lenders, pro rata according to the amounts of their respective Commitments of such Class; (ii) each Borrowing of any Class shall be allocated pro rata among the relevant Lenders according to the amounts of their respective Commitments (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans, their respective Available Revolving Credit Commitments) of such Class (in the case of the making of Loans) or their respective Loans of such Class that are to be included in such Borrowing (in the case of conversions and continuations of Loans); (iii) each payment or prepayment of principal of Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans and Incremental Term Loans by a Borrower shall be made for the account of the relevant Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Loans of such Class held by them; and (iv) each payment of interest on Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans and Incremental Term Loans by a Borrower shall be made for the account of the relevant Lenders pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans then due and payable to the respective Lenders.

 

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(d) Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (A) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (B) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that:

(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section 2.16(d) shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by a Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender) or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant.

The Borrowers consent to the foregoing and agree, to the extent they may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrowers rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

(e) Payments by the Borrowers; Presumptions by the Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from GEO prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or an Issuing Lender hereunder that GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders and each Issuing Lender severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of (x) the Federal Funds Rate and (y) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(f) Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent. If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), Section 2.05(e), Section 2.06(b) or Section 2.16(e), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to it under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

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Section 2.17 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if a Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or Section 2.15 in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If (1) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if a Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, (2) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, or (3) any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, modification or waiver of this Agreement or any other Loan Document requested by GEO which has been approved by (a) if, at such time, the Term Loan Exposure exceeds 35% of the Aggregate Credit Facilities Amount, the Required Term Lenders and the Required Revolving Credit Lenders, or (b) if, at such time, the Term Loan Exposure does not exceed 35% of the Aggregate Credit Facilities Amount, the Required Lenders but, in each case, which requires the consent of such Lender (or such Lender and other Lenders) to become effective, then, in each case GEO may, at its sole expense (and without any obligation on the Administrative Agent or any Lender to cooperate or assist in any way in locating an assignee), upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, (x) require such Lender to assign, without recourse (except as provided below in this Section 2.17(b), in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.04), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment) or (y) in the case of any Lender that does not consent to a proposed amendment, modification or waiver of this Agreement or any other Loan Document as aforesaid, terminate the Commitments of such Lender and pay to such Lender an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.14); provided that:

(i) if a Revolving Credit Commitment is being assigned, GEO shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender;

(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.14) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, (in the case of all other amounts); (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

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(iv) in the case of any such replacement due to the replaced Lender not consenting to a proposed amendment, modification or waiver of this Agreement or any other Loan Document as aforesaid, each replacement Lender shall consent (and by accepting such assignment shall be deemed to have consented), at the time of such assignment, to each matter in respect of which such replaced Lender shall not have consented.

In connection with any such replacement, if the replaced Lender does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Assignment and Assumption reflecting such replacement prior to or concurrently with the execution and delivery of such Assignment and Assumption by the replacement Lender, the Administrative Agent may (and the replaced Lender hereby unconditionally and irrevocably authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to, in the name of and on behalf of the replaced Lender) execute such Assignment and Assumption and other documentation on behalf of the replaced Lender and, in such event (notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.04), such replaced Lender shall be deemed to have duly executed and delivered such Assignment and Assumption and other documentation to the Administrative Agent and the replacement Lender. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling GEO to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

Section 2.18 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply on the date such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender and for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(a);

(b) the Revolving Credit Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders or Required Revolving Credit Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided, that this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender affected or directly affected thereby;

(c) if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

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(i) all or any part of the Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent (A) the sum of all non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments and (B) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment;

(ii) if the reallocation described in Section 2.18(c)(i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, GEO shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent, (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize, on a pro rata basis, for the benefit of the Issuing Lenders, the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(i)) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(k) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iii) if GEO cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, GEO shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(iv) if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.11(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and

(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lender or any other Lender hereunder, all fees payable under Section 2.11(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Lender until and to the extent that such LC Exposure as applicable, is reallocated and/or cash collateralized;

 

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(d) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Lender shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure, as applicable, will be 100% covered by the Revolving Credit Commitments of the applicable non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by GEO in accordance with Section 2.18(c), and participating interests in any newly made Swingline Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among the applicable non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.18(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein); and (e) any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Lender hereunder; third, to cash collateralize on a pro rata basis each Issuing Lender’s LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender; fourth, as GEO may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and GEO, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (i) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (ii) cash collateralize the Issuing Lenders’ future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Lenders against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to any Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by such Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (i) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (ii) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in LC Exposures and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to Section 2.18(c). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section 2.18(e) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

In the event that the Administrative Agent, GEO, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Lender each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender (or if such Defaulting Lender has been replaced pursuant to Section 2.17), then (i) the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s (or replacement Lender’s) Revolving Credit Commitment and on such date such Lender (or replacement Lender) shall purchase at par such of the Revolving Credit Loans of the other Revolving Credit Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender (or replacement Lender) to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage and (ii) all cash collateral provided pursuant to Section 2.18(c) with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall be immediately released to the Borrowers.

 

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Section 2.19 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that on or after the date hereof any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Term SOFR, or to determine or charge interest based upon SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Term SOFR, in each case as contemplated by this Agreement, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and GEO, and (i) the commitments of such Lender hereunder to make or continue SOFR Loans and to convert ABR Loans to SOFR Loans shall be suspended during the period of such illegality, (ii) such Lender’s Loans then outstanding as SOFR Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to ABR Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as may be required by law, and (iii) during the period of such illegality (x) any Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be made or continued as SOFR Loans shall instead be made or continued, as the case may be, as ABR Loans. If any such conversion of a SOFR Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, GEO or the Borrowers, as applicable, shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 2.13.

Section 2.20 GEO as Borrowers’ Representative. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably designates and appoints GEO as its representative and agent on its behalf for purposes of all requests in respect of Loans (including Borrowing Requests and Interest Election Requests), delivering certificates, giving instructions with respect to disbursements of proceeds of Loans, selecting interest rate options, giving and receiving all other notices and consents under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents and taking all other actions (on behalf of itself and any other Borrower) hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. GEO hereby irrevocably accepts such appointment. The Administrative Agent and each Lender may regard any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document from GEO as a notice or communication from all Borrowers. Each representation, warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking made on behalf of any other Borrower by GEO shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Borrower and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Borrower to the same extent as if the same had been made directly by such Borrower.

Section 2.21 Joint and Several Obligations.

(a) All Obligations under this Agreement that are stated under this Agreement to be Obligations of both Borrowers, including their Obligations in respect of Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Term Loans and any Incremental Term Loans), shall be joint and several Obligations of each Borrower (such Obligations, “Joint and Several Obligations”). Anything contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Obligations of each Borrower hereunder, solely with respect to the Joint and Several Obligations and to the extent that such Borrower did not receive proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans from any Borrowing hereunder, in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company law, or any applicable state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the Obligations of such Borrower would otherwise be held or determined to be void, voidable, invalid or unenforceable, or subordinated to the claims of any other creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under this Section 2.21(a) in respect of such Obligations, then, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by such Borrower or any other person, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount (after giving effect to any right of contribution) that is valid and enforceable and not subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or proceeding.

 

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(b) Each Borrower hereby agrees that until the Release Date it shall not exercise any direct or indirect right or remedy arising as a result of such Joint and Several Obligations, whether by subrogation or otherwise, against the other Borrower or any other Guarantor.

(c) Each Borrower hereby agrees that to the extent that a Borrower shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder in respect of Joint and Several Obligations, such Borrower shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against the other Borrower. Each Borrower’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.21(b). The provisions of this Section 2.21(c) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of either Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders, and each Borrower shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders for the full amount of all Joint and Several Obligations.

(d) The Joint and Several Obligations of the Borrowers, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, joint and several, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Joint and Several Obligations, or any substitution, release or exchange of any guarantee of or security for any of the Joint and Several Obligations, and, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor (except for payment in full). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of the Borrowers hereunder which shall remain absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances as described above:

(i) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Borrowers, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Joint and Several Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

(ii) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be done or omitted;

(iii) the maturity of any of the Joint and Several Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Joint and Several Obligations shall be amended in any respect, or any right under the Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be amended or waived in any respect or any guarantee of any of the Joint and Several Obligations or except as permitted pursuant to Section 9.02, any security therefor shall be released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with; (iv) any Lien or security interest granted to, or in favor of, an Issuing Lender, any Lender or the Administrative Agent as security for any of the Joint and Several Obligations shall fail to be perfected; or

 

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(v) the release of any other Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.02 or otherwise.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Borrower hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that any Secured Party exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against the other Borrower under this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or against any person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Joint and Several Obligations. The Borrowers waive, to the extent permitted by law, any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension, waiver, termination or accrual of any of the Joint and Several Obligations. The Borrowers’ Joint and Several Obligations shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by the Secured Parties or any other person at any time of any right or remedy against the Borrowers or either of them or against any other person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Joint and Several Obligations or against any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto.

Section 2.22 Refinancing Facilities.

(a) Refinancing Term Loans. GEO may, on one or more occasions, upon giving no less than five Business Days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) (which notice may take the form of a draft of the relevant Refinancing Term Facility Supplement) (the “Refinancing Term Loan Notice”) to the Administrative Agent, refinance all (and not less than all) of the Term Loans or the Incremental Term Loans of any Series with new term loans under this Agreement (such new term loans, “Refinancing Term Loans”). Each such notice shall specify the date (each, a “Refinancing Term Loan Effective Date”), which shall be a Business Day, on which GEO proposes that such refinancing shall be consummated. Any such refinancing, and the incurrence of any Refinancing Term Loans hereunder, shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) No Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(ii) Substantially concurrently with the incurrence of any Refinancing Term Loans, GEO shall repay or prepay all of the then-outstanding Loans being refinanced (together with any accrued but unpaid interest thereon and all fees or premiums, if any, with respect thereto) with proceeds of such Refinancing Term Loans.

(iii) GEO shall pay any applicable amounts as and when required pursuant to Section 2.14 and Section 2.10(a) in connection with the prepayment or repayment of the Loans being refinanced by such Refinancing Term Loans;

(iv) The Refinancing Term Loan Notice shall set forth, with respect to the Refinancing Term Loans referred to therein, the following (and such Refinancing Term Loans shall be subject to the following requirements):

 

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(A) the stated maturity date and amortization applicable thereto; provided that the weighted average-life-to-maturity for such Refinancing Term Loans shall not be shorter than the weighted average-life-to-maturity for, and the stated maturity date of such Refinancing Term Loans shall not be earlier than 91 days after the stated maturity date of the Term Loans or Incremental Term Loans being refinanced with such Refinancing Term Loans;

(B) the interest rate or rates applicable to the Refinancing Term Loans;

(C) any other material terms applicable to the Refinancing Term Loans; provided, that such other terms (excluding pricing, fees and optional prepayment or redemption terms) shall not be materially more favorable to the Lenders holding such Refinancing Term Loans than those applicable to the Term Loans or Incremental Term Loans being refinanced (except for covenants and other provisions only applicable after the stated maturity date of such Term Loans or Incremental Term Loans); and

(D) a certification from a Financial Officer of GEO that the requirements and conditions set forth in this Section 2.22(b) with respect to such Refinancing Term Loans have been complied with and satisfied, as applicable.

(v) Any Lender approached by GEO to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Term Loans may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide any Refinancing Term Loans.

(vi) Any Refinancing Term Loans shall be established pursuant to an amendment hereto and, to the extent applicable, the other Loan Documents (the “Refinancing Term Loan Amendment”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by GEO, each Lender providing such Refinancing Term Loans and the Administrative Agent, which shall be consistent with the provisions set forth above (but which shall not require the consent of any other Lender or Loan Party). Each Refinancing Term Loan Amendment shall be binding on the Lenders, the Loan Parties and the other parties hereto and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, may effect amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents of a technical or administrative nature as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and GEO, in order to establish and implement such Refinancing Term Loans or the Commitments in respect thereof pursuant to, and to otherwise give effect to, the provisions of this Section 2.22(a).

(vii) Any Refinancing Term Loans shall be denominated in Dollars and shall rank pari passu with the remaining Term Loans (if any), or Incremental Term Loans not refinanced therewith and the other Obligations in right of payment and in priority with respect to the Liens created under the Security Documents; it being understood that (x) the borrower of such Refinancing Term Loans shall be GEO and (y) such Refinancing Term Loans shall not have any obligors that are not Loan Parties or any “restricted subsidiaries” that are not Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders as to the occurrence of any Refinancing Term Loan Effective Date.

(b) Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments. The Borrowers may, on one or more occasions, upon giving no less than five Business Days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) (which notice may take the form of a draft of the relevant Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment) (the “Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Notice”) to the Administrative Agent, refinance all (and not less than all) of the Revolving Credit Commitments with a new revolving credit facility under this Agreement (such refinancing of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the “Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments”). Each such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Notice shall specify the date (the “Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Effective Date”), which shall be a Business Day, on which the Borrowers propose that such refinancing shall be consummated. Any such refinancing, and the incurrence of Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder, shall be subject to the following:

(i) No Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(ii) Substantially concurrently with the incurrence of any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrowers shall terminate the existing Revolving Credit Commitments, and repay, prepay and pay all of the then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and other Revolving Credit Exposure associated with such terminated Revolving Credit Commitments (together with any accrued but unpaid interest and fees thereon and any premiums, if any, with respect thereto); provided that (x) any such termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be subject to, and effected in accordance with, Section 2.08(b) and (y) notwithstanding the foregoing, any undrawn Letter of Credit outstanding on the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Effective Date may, subject to arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Lender of such Letter of Credit, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender under such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, be “rolled” under such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments on and with effect from the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Effective Date.

(iii) The Borrowers shall pay any applicable amounts as and when required pursuant to Section 2.14 in connection with the prepayment, repayment, reduction or termination, as applicable, of the Revolving Credit Loans and Revolving Credit Commitments being refinanced by such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments and the initial Borrowing thereunder.

(iv) The Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Notice shall set forth, with respect to the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments referred to therein the following (and such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall be subject to the following requirements):

 

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(A) the stated maturity date applicable thereto; provided, that such maturity date shall not be prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date then in effect;

(B) the interest rate or rates and unused commitment fees applicable to the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments and the Loans borrowed thereunder;

(C) any other material terms applicable to the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments; provided, that such other terms (excluding pricing, fees and optional prepayment or commitment reduction terms) shall not be materially more favorable to the Lenders holding such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments than those applicable to the Revolving Credit Commitments or Revolving Credit Loans being refinanced (except for covenants and other provisions only applicable after the latest final maturity or termination date of any such Revolving Credit Commitments or Revolving Credit Loans); and

(D) a certification from a Financial Officer of GEO that the requirements and conditions set forth in this Section 2.22(b) with respect to such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments have been complied with and satisfied, as applicable.

(v) Any Lender approached by the Borrowers to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments.

(vi) Solely to the extent that an Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender is not a replacement Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender under a Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment, it is understood and agreed that such Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender shall not be required to issue any letters of credit or swingline loan under such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment and, to the extent it is necessary for such Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender to withdraw as an Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, at the time of the establishment of such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment, such withdrawal shall be on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in its sole discretion. The Borrowers agree to reimburse each Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in full upon demand, for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket cost or expense attributable to such withdrawal.

(vii) Any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall be established pursuant to an amendment hereto and, to the extent applicable, the other Loan Documents (the “Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by each of the Borrowers, each Lender providing the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments and the Administrative Agent, which shall be consistent with the provisions set forth above (but which shall not require the consent of any other Lender or Loan Party).

 

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Each Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Amendment shall be binding on the Lenders, the Loan Parties and the other parties hereto and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, may effect amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents of a technical or administrative nature as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and GEO, in order to establish and implement such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to, and to otherwise give effect to, the provisions of this Section 2.22(b).

(viii) Any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall be denominated in Dollars and shall rank pari passu with the remaining Revolving Credit Commitments (if any) not refinanced therewith and the other Obligations in right of payment and in priority with respect to the Liens created under the Security Documents; it being understood that (x) the only borrowers thereunder shall be the Borrowers and (y) such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall not have any other obligors that are not the Loan Parties or any “restricted subsidiaries” that are not Restricted Subsidiaries.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders as to the effectiveness of any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments Effective Date.

Section 2.23 Cashless Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all of the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by this Agreement pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by GEO, the Administrative Agent, and such Lender, and any such exchange, continuation or rollover shall be deemed to comply with any requirement hereunder or under any other Loan Document that any payment be made “in Dollars” (or the relevant alternate currency), “in immediately available funds”, “in cash” or any other similar requirement.

Section 2.24 Benchmark Replacement Setting.

(a) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. If the Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a monthly basis.

 

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(b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (ii) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrowers of (x) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.24(d) and (y) the commencement of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.24, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.24; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Benchmark Replacement to constitute a “qualified rate” within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.1001-6(b).

(d) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

 

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(e) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrowers’ receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, (i) the Borrowers may revoke any pending request for a SOFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrowers will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans and (ii) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted to ABR Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Alternate Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Alternate Base Rate.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrowers hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

Section 3.01 Organization; Powers and Qualifications. Each of GEO and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or its equivalent) (if such concept exists in such jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing (if such concept exists in such jurisdiction) in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

Section 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within the corporate or other power of each Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action (including, if required, equityholder action) on the part of such Borrower and such Restricted Subsidiary. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Borrower and constitutes, and each of the other Loan Documents to which any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party when executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Borrower and such Restricted Subsidiary, enforceable against such Borrower and such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

Section 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions:

(a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) as may be required by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally, (iii) filings with the United States Copyright Office and/or the United States Patent and Trademark Office, (iv) filings under the UCC and/or the Assignment of Claims Act (or analogous state applicable law), and (v) any other filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents; (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of GEO or any of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority;

 

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(c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon GEO or any of its Subsidiaries or assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person,; and

(d) except for the Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of GEO or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.

(a) Financial Condition. GEO has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, reported on by Grant Thornton LLP, independent public accountants. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons as of such date and for such period in accordance with GAAP.

(b) No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2023, no event has occurred or condition has arisen that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.05 Properties.

(a) Property Generally. Each of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, subject only to Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and except for minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.

(b) Intellectual Property Matters. Each of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.06 Litigation.

(a) Actions, Suits and Proceedings. Other than the Disclosed Matters, there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority now pending against or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened against or affecting GEO or any of its Subsidiaries, or that involve this Agreement or the Transactions, as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Change in Disclosed Matters. Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.07 Environmental Matters. Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither GEO nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any facts, events or circumstances that could give rise to any basis for any Environmental Liability of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 3.08 Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Defaults.

(a) Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) No Default. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 3.09 Government Regulation. Neither GEO nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Section 3.10 Tax Returns and Payments. Each of GEO and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Person has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that any such failure could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.11 ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of U.S. GAAP Codification Topic 715-30) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of U.S. GAAP Codification Topic 715-30) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.

 

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Section 3.12 Disclosure. GEO has disclosed to the Lenders (including by means of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission) all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished in writing by or on behalf of GEO or its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Lenders in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by all other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrowers represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

Section 3.13 Margin Stock. Neither GEO nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock.

Section 3.14 Agreements and Liens.

(a) Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations. Part A of Schedule 3.14 of the Disclosure Supplement is a complete and correct list of each credit agreement, loan agreement, indenture, note purchase agreement, guarantee, letter of credit or other arrangement (other than the Loan Documents) providing for or otherwise relating to any Indebtedness or any extension of credit (or commitment for any extension of credit) to, or Guarantee by, GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the date hereof the aggregate principal or face amount of which equals or exceeds (or may equal or exceed) $5,000,000.

(b) Liens. Part B of Schedule 3.14 of the Disclosure Supplement is a complete and correct list of each Lien securing Indebtedness (other than any Indebtedness constituting Obligations) of any Person outstanding on the date hereof the aggregate principal or face amount of which equals or exceeds (or may equal or exceed) $5,000,000 and covering any property of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and the aggregate Indebtedness secured (or that may be secured) by each such Lien and the property covered by each such Lien is described in reasonable detail in said Part B of Schedule 3.14.

Section 3.15 Material Contracts. Neither GEO nor any of its Subsidiaries is on the date hereof party to any Material Contract other than the Loan Documents, the Material Government Contract identified on Schedule 3.7 to the Collateral Agreement and the Senior Notes Indentures.

Section 3.16 Subsidiaries and Investments.

(a) Subsidiaries. Set forth in Part A of Schedule 3.16 of the Disclosure Supplement is a complete and correct list of all of the Subsidiaries of GEO as of the date hereof together with, for each such Subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary, (ii) each Person holding ownership interests in such Subsidiary, (iii) the nature of the ownership interests held by each such Person and the percentage of ownership of such Subsidiary represented by such ownership interests and (iv) an indication of whether such Subsidiary is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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Except as disclosed in said Part A of Schedule 3.16, on the date hereof (x) each of GEO and its Subsidiaries owns free and clear of Liens (other than Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents or that are subject to an Intercreditor Agreement), and has the unencumbered right to vote, all outstanding ownership interests in each Person shown to be held by it in said Part A of Schedule 3.16, (y) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Person organized as a corporation is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (z) there are no outstanding Equity Rights with respect to such Person.

(b) Investments. Set forth in Part B of Schedule 3.16 of the Disclosure Supplement is a complete and correct list of all Investments (other than Investments disclosed in said Part A of Schedule 3.16 and other than Investments of the types referred to in clauses (b) through (m) of Section 6.04) held by GEO or any of its (i) Subsidiaries in GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person, in each case on the date hereof and, for each such Investment, (x) the identity of the Person or Persons holding such Investment and (y) the nature of such Investment. Except as disclosed in said Part B of Schedule 3.16, each of GEO and its Subsidiaries owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents or that are subject to an Intercreditor Agreement), all such Investments.

Section 3.17 Real Property. Set forth on Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Supplement is a list, as of the Effective Date, of all of the real property interests held by GEO and its Restricted Domestic Subsidiaries (other than intercompany leases solely between Restricted Domestic Subsidiaries or between GEO and its Restricted Domestic Subsidiaries), indicating in each case whether the respective property is owned or leased, the identity of the owner or lessee and the location of the respective property. Except as indicated in said Schedule 3.17, as of the Effective Date, no Mortgage encumbers real property which is located in a Flood Zone.

Section 3.18 Solvency. GEO and each of its Subsidiaries is Solvent.

Section 3.19 Employee Relations. Neither GEO nor any Restricted Subsidiary is, as of the Effective Date, party to any collective bargaining agreement nor has any labor union been recognized as the representative of its employees except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 of the Disclosure Supplement. GEO knows of no pending, threatened or contemplated strikes, work stoppage or other collective labor disputes involving its employees or those of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 3.20 Burdensome Provisions. Neither GEO nor any Restricted Subsidiary is a party to any indenture, agreement, lease or other instrument, or subject to any corporate or partnership restriction, Governmental Approval or applicable law which in the foreseeable future could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries do not presently anticipate that future expenditures needed to meet the provisions of any statutes, orders, rules or regulations of a Governmental Authority will be so burdensome as to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Restricted Subsidiary (other than, with respect to Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt, any Subsidiary that is an obligor under such Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt) is party to any agreement or instrument of the type described in Section 6.07 or otherwise subject to any restriction or encumbrance that restricts or limits its ability to make dividend payments or other distributions in respect of its capital stock to GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary or to transfer any of its assets or properties to GEO or any other Restricted Subsidiary in each case other than existing under or by reason of the Loan Documents or applicable law.

 

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Section 3.21 Corporation. As of the Effective Date, GEO is organized, and intends to continue to be organized, as an entity taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will not elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856-860 of the Code.

Section 3.22 Anti-Terrorism Laws and Sanctions; AML Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws. GEO has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by GEO and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable AML Laws and applicable Sanctions. None of (a) GEO or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors, officers, or, to GEO’s knowledge, any of their respective employees or Affiliates, or (b) to GEO’s knowledge, any agent of GEO or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from any credit facility established hereby, (i) is a Sanctioned Person, or (ii) is in violation of AML Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws, or Sanctions. Neither GEO nor its Subsidiaries or Affiliates will use any Borrowing, Letter of Credit, proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, Affiliate or other Person, (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of the FCPA or any other applicable Anti-Corruption Law, or (b)(i) to fund, finance, or facilitate any activities, business, or transactions of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of AML Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans whether as Administrative Agent, lender, borrower, guarantor, arranger, underwriter, advisor, investor, agent or otherwise). GEO represents that, except as disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to the Effective Date, neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries or, to GEO’s knowledge, any other Affiliate has engaged in or intends to engage in any dealings or transactions with, or for the benefit of, any Sanctioned Person or with or in any Sanctioned Country, or otherwise in violation of Sanctions.

Section 3.23 Affected Financial Institution. None of GEO or any of its Subsidiaries is an Affected Financial Institution.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

Section 4.01 Effective Date. This Agreement shall not be effective and the obligations of the Lenders to make any Loans and the Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date that each of the following conditions precedent is satisfied, each of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in form and substance (or such condition shall have been waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) Executed Counterparts. The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of the following documents signed by the following parties: (i) from each of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, this Agreement, (ii) from each Revolving Credit Lender and Term Lender and the Swingline Lender, this Agreement or a Lender Addendum and (iii) from each Issuing Lender, this Agreement, a Lender Addendum or a separate written agreement evidencing such Issuing Lender’s consent to be an “Issuing Lender” hereunder.

 

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(b) Opinions of Counsel to Loan Parties. The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) (i) of Akerman LLP, counsel for the Borrowers and the Guarantors, covering such matters relating to the Borrowers, the Guarantors, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request (and each Borrower for itself and on behalf of each Guarantor hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent), and (ii) local counsel for certain Guarantors, covering such matters relating to such Guarantors as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request (and GEO, on behalf of such Guarantors, hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent), and (iii) of the in-house General Counsel for the Borrowers and the Guarantors, covering such other matters relating to the Borrowers, the Guarantors, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request (and each Borrower for itself and on behalf of each Guarantor hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent).

(c) Notes. Each Lender that shall have requested a promissory note shall have received a duly completed and executed Note for such Lender.

(d) Collateral Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the Collateral Agreement, duly executed and delivered by each Borrower, each Guarantor and the Administrative Agent, (ii) subject to Section 5.14, original stock certificates or other certificates evidencing the capital stock or other ownership interests pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement (to the extent such ownership interests are certificated), together with an undated stock power for each such certificate so received, duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof, and (iii) each original promissory note pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. In addition, all filings and recordations that are necessary to perfect the security interests of the Lenders in the collateral described in the Security Documents (including, without limitation, Assignment Agreements executed by the Borrowers or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and Notices of Assignment executed by the Administrative Agent, in each case, with respect to each Material Government Contract existing as of the Effective Date but, for the avoidance of doubt, not including acknowledgments of any such Notices of Assignment executed by the relevant Governmental Authorities) shall have been received by the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it and the Lenders that upon such filings and recordations, such security interests constitute valid and perfected Liens therein, subject to no other Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

(e) Guaranty Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received the Guaranty Agreement, duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers, the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent.

(f) Collateral Assignment. The Administrative Agent shall have received the Collateral Assignment, duly executed and delivered by each Borrower, each Guarantor and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each such Borrower and each such Guarantor shall have taken such other action as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have requested in order to perfect the security interests created pursuant to the Collateral Assignment.

 

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(g) Governmental and Third Party Approvals. GEO and each Restricted Subsidiary shall have obtained all necessary approvals, authorizations and consents of any Person and of all Governmental Authorities and courts having jurisdiction with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(h) Corporate Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary (or equivalent) of each Loan Party certifying (x) as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of such Loan Party executing this Agreement and any other Loan Documents and (y) that:

(i) attached thereto are true, correct and complete copies of (A) the articles of incorporation or similar charter documents of such Loan Party certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of organization, and (B) the bylaws or operating agreement or similar governing documents of such Loan Party, in each case as in effect on the date hereof;

(ii) attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of each Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or such other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party; and

(iii) attached thereto is a certificate, as of a recent date, of the good standing of each Loan Party under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization (or equivalent) (to the extent such concept exists in such jurisdiction) and a certificate of the relevant taxing authorities of such jurisdictions, if available, certifying that such Person has filed required tax returns and owes no delinquent taxes (to the extent such certificates are issued by a Governmental Authority in such jurisdiction).

(i) Officer’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of GEO, certifying on behalf of GEO that, on and as of the Effective Date, (i) the representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in this Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as if made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date) and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing.

(j) Lien Search Results. If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction so requested with respect to each Borrower and each Guarantor (to the extent obtainable in such jurisdiction), and such search results shall not reveal any Liens on any of the assets of GEO or any Guarantor except for Liens permitted by this Agreement or Liens to be discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(k) Insurance. Subject to Section 5.14, the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of insurance (together with copies of the applicable policy endorsements, to the extent customarily made available) evidencing the existence of all insurance required to be maintained by GEO and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to clause (b) of Section 5.05 and the designation of the Administrative Agent as the loss payee, lenders loss payable, mortgagee or additional named insured, as the case may be, thereunder to the extent required by such clause (b) of Section 5.05.

(l) Effective Date Transactions. The Effective Date Transactions shall have been, or shall substantially concurrently with the effectiveness of this Agreement be, consummated.

(m) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by a Financial Officer of GEO, to the effect that, on and as of the Effective Date (after giving effect to the Effective Date Transactions), GEO and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

(n) Fees and Expenses. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that GEO shall have paid (or caused to be paid) such fees and reimbursements as GEO shall have agreed to pay to any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Left Lead Arranger on or prior to the Effective Date in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel to the Left Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent, to the extent that statements or invoices for such fees and expenses have been delivered to GEO prior to the Effective Date), in each case which amounts may be offset against the proceeds of the Term Loans pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to GEO and the Administrative Agent and the Left Lead Arranger.

(o) Patriot Act Compliance. The Administrative Agent shall have received, no later than three Business Days in advance of the Effective Date, all required documentation and other information under applicable “know your customer” and AML Laws, including without limitation the Patriot Act, as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(p) [Reserved].

(q) Flood Hazard Determination. The Administrative Agent and each applicable Lender shall have received, to the extent requested by such Lender at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each property identified in Part A of Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Supplement and, if any such property is located in a Flood Zone, evidence of flood insurance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

(r) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably requested prior to the Effective Date.

Section 4.02 Each Extension of Credit. The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan and of each Issuing Lender to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions (except, solely with respect to Incremental Term Loans, as and to the extent provided in Section 2.01(e)):

 

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(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received the applicable notice or request in respect of such Loan or such issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, including (i) in the case of a Borrowing, a Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.03, (ii) in the case of a Swingline Loan, a notice in accordance with Section 2.04(b) and (iii) in the case of a Letter of Credit, a notice in accordance with Section 2.05(b);

(b) the representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in this Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Loan or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (other than any representations and warranties that speak as of a certain date, which shall be true and correct on and as of such date); and

(c) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, as applicable, shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by each Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in the preceding sentence.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information. GEO will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to the Lenders):

(a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of GEO, the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Grant Thornton LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of GEO and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied (it being understood and agreed that GEO’s filing of a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to a fiscal year within the period specified above shall be deemed to satisfy GEO’s obligations under this Section 5.01(a) with respect to such fiscal year); (b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of GEO, the consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the corresponding period or periods of the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of GEO as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes (it being understood and agreed that GEO’s filing of a Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to a fiscal quarter within the period specified above shall be deemed to satisfy GEO’s obligations under this Section 5.01(b) with respect to such fiscal quarter);

 

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(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) of this Section, a certificate of a Financial Officer of GEO in form and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.01, Section 6.02, Section 6.04, Section 6.05 and Section 6.09, (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate, (iv) stating the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt and the portion thereof Guaranteed by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding as of the last day of the relevant fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as the case may be, and, in each case, the aggregate amount of principal thereof and interest thereon paid by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding such day, (v) certifying that all Material Real Property of the Borrowers and the Guarantors is subject to Mortgages in accordance with Section 5.10 or Section 5.11(b) or designating real property as Material Real Property to be subject to Mortgages thereafter in accordance with Section 5.10, and (vi) stating the aggregate amount with respect to the net book value of the domestic real property interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors constituting Collateral (subject to the definition of “Material Real Property” above) and the net book value of such real property interests that does not constitute Collateral;

(d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) of this Section, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

(e) promptly after periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials are filed by GEO or any of its Subsidiaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by GEO to its shareholders generally, notice thereof; (f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of GEO or any of its Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request;

 

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(g) within 45 days after the beginning of each fiscal year of GEO, a business forecast of GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons for such fiscal year to include the following: a projected income statement, statement of cash flows and balance sheet (each prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for the absence of footnotes) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, management’s assumptions underlying such projections, accompanied by a certificate from a Financial Officer of GEO to the effect that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, such projections are good faith estimates (utilizing reasonable assumptions) of the financial condition and operations of GEO and its Subsidiaries and Other Consolidated Persons for such fiscal year;

(h) [reserved]; and

(i) promptly following any request therefor, such additional information and documentation regarding each Loan Party reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and AML Laws, including without limitation the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Section 5.02 Notices of Material Events. GEO will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to the Lenders) prompt written notice of the following:

(a) (i) the occurrence of any Default, or (ii) any event which constitutes or which with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a default or event of default under any Material Contract to which GEO or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which GEO or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties may be bound;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting GEO or any of its Affiliates that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000;

(d) any notice of any material violation of Environmental Law or any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability received by GEO or any Subsidiary thereof, including, without limitation, the assertion of any environmental matters by any Person against, or with respect to the activities of, GEO or any of its Subsidiaries and any alleged violation of or non-compliance with any Environmental Laws or any permits, licenses or authorizations, other than, in each case, any violation or claim that, if adversely determined, would not (either individually or in the aggregate) have a Material Adverse Effect; (e) any labor controversy that has resulted in, or threatens to result in, a strike or other work action against GEO or any of its Subsidiaries thereof which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(f) contemporaneously with the delivery of the quarterly reports required herein, (and, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, on a more frequent basis if requested by the Administrative Agent), a list of all Material Government Contracts which have (i) been completed or have lapsed or terminated and not renewed or (ii) been entered into (or which have become Material Government Contracts) in each case, since the most recent list provided by GEO and signed by a Financial Officer or other executive officer of GEO as of the last Business Day of such fiscal quarter, unless in any such case such information has been filed, and notice thereof furnished to the Administrative Agent, as described in Section 5.01(e); and

(g) any other development that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of GEO setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

Section 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

Section 5.04 Payment of Obligations. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect, before the same shall become delinquent or in default beyond the period of grace, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) GEO or such Restricted Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.05 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and in the event of the presence of any Hazardous Materials on any of the Material Real Property which is in violation of Environmental Laws, promptly upon discovery thereof, shall (i) take all reasonable and necessary steps to initiate and expeditiously complete all response, corrective, and other action required under Environmental Law or by a Governmental Authority to mitigate and eliminate any such violation or potential liability, and (ii) keep the Administrative Agent informed of their actions and the results of such actions as the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall reasonably request, except where such presence or violation could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, with the Administrative Agent designated as the loss payee, lenders loss payable, mortgagee or additional named insured in respect of all such policies (other than any such policies (other than flood insurance policies) covering any real property interest, including improvements, that has a fair market value of less than $5,000,000), as applicable, and from time to time deliver to the Administrative Agent upon its request a detailed list of the insurance then in effect, stating the names of the insurance companies, the amounts and rates of the insurance, the dates of the expiration thereof and the properties and risks covered thereby; it being understood and agreed that, irrespective of the Administrative Agent’s designation as described above, as to any Casualty Event in respect of which no more than $5,000,000 in aggregate insurance proceeds is payable under any such insurance policy, GEO or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary shall be entitled to receive such proceeds directly.

 

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Except as otherwise expressly consented to by the Administrative Agent, such insurance policies shall provide that no cancellation, non-renewal or material change in coverage shall be effective until after 30 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent. If any portion of the property covered by any Mortgage is located in Flood Zone, then GEO shall maintain, or cause its applicable Restricted Subsidiary to maintain, with a financially sound and reputable insurer, flood insurance in an amount as the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender may from time to time reasonably require, but in no event less that an amount sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to such Flood Act, and shall otherwise comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended from time to time.

Section 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of its dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

Section 5.07 Compliance with Laws. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, including ERISA and any Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. GEO will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by GEO and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable AML Laws and Sanctions.

Section 5.08 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit will be used only (a) to finance the Effective Date Transactions on the Effective Date and to pay fees, commissions, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Effective Date Transactions, (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the payment of fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, (c) to finance any Permitted Acquisition and any other acquisition permitted hereunder, (d) to fund Restricted Payments permitted hereunder and to make any other Investments permitted hereunder, (e) to refinance, redeem, repay or otherwise discharge in full any series of the Senior Notes or any other Indebtedness of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case to the extent permitted hereunder, (f) in the case of proceeds of Borrowings of or under Refinancing Term Loans or Refinancing Revolving Commitments, solely as provided in Section 2.22(a) and Section 2.22(b), respectively, and (g) in the case of proceeds of Incremental Term Loans, solely as provided in Section 2.01(e).

 

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No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations U and X. None of the Borrowers will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrowers shall not, and shall cause the Subsidiaries and the Borrowers’ or such Subsidiaries’ respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and agents to not, directly or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers or such Subsidiaries, indirectly, use the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, other Affiliate, joint venture partner or other Person, (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or AML Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans whether as Administrative Agent, lender, borrower, guarantor, arranger, underwriter, advisor, investor, agent or otherwise).

Section 5.09 Additional Subsidiaries; Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

(a) Additional Subsidiary Guarantors. GEO shall notify the Administrative Agent of (i) each redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.09(c) and (ii) each creation or acquisition of any Restricted Subsidiary, and promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may approve in its sole discretion) thereafter), in each of the cases referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence, cause such Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) to (A) become a “Guarantor” by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplement to the Guaranty Agreement or such other document as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose, (B) deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly executed Joinder Agreement and comply with the terms of each Security Document, (C) take such action (including delivering certificates and transfer powers in respect of Equity Interests and executing and delivering (as applicable) such UCC financing statements and account control agreements) as shall be necessary to create and perfect valid and enforceable Liens on substantially all of the personal property (other than Excluded Property) of such Subsidiary as collateral security for the obligations of such Subsidiary under the Loan Documents subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02, (D) take all actions with respect to all Material Real Property owned or leased by such Subsidiary required by Section 5.10 (as if such Material Real Property had been acquired by a Subsidiary), (E) deliver to the Administrative Agent such proof of corporate action, incumbency of officers, opinions of counsel (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to in clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) of this sentence) and other documents as is consistent with those delivered by GEO pursuant to Section 4.01 on the Effective Date, and (F) deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documents and closing certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(b) Additional Foreign Subsidiaries. GEO shall notify the Administrative Agent at the time that any Person becomes a direct Foreign Subsidiary of any Borrower or any Guarantor, and at the request of the Administrative Agent, promptly thereafter (and in any event within 45 days after such request), cause (i) such Borrower or such Guarantor to deliver to the Administrative Agent a supplement to the Security Documents pledging 100% of all Equity Interests in such Foreign Subsidiary (together with, if applicable, original stock certificates (or the equivalent thereof pursuant to the applicable laws and practices of any relevant foreign jurisdiction) evidencing such Equity Interest of such Foreign Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock power (or the equivalent thereof pursuant to the applicable laws and practices of any relevant foreign jurisdiction) for each certificate (or equivalent) duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof), (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, such Borrower or such Guarantor to deliver to the Administrative Agent a favorable opinion of counsel (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of such pledge), and (iii) such Borrower or such Guarantor to deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documents and closing certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(c) Designation of Restricted Subsidiaries. GEO may, at any time and upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, designate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary.

(d) Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. GEO may, on prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, designate any Restricted Subsidiary or newly acquired Subsidiary (in each case, other than (x) any Subsidiary that is a guarantor under any of the Senior Notes or (y) Corrections or any successor to Corrections or all or substantially all of its properties) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (2) the designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by Loan Parties therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the applicable Loan Party’s Investment therein and such Investment is permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 at such time and (3) an authorized officer of GEO certifies to the Administrative Agent compliance with the preceding clauses (1) and (2). Any such designation shall have an effective date mutually acceptable to the Administrative Agent and GEO, but in no event earlier than five Business Days following receipt by the Administrative Agent of such written notice. Upon the effectiveness of any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 5.09(d), the Administrative Agent shall take any action requested by GEO that is necessary to release such Unrestricted Subsidiary and its assets from the Security Documents. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, (A) the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be permitted to contribute, dispose of or otherwise transfer legal title to, or license on an exclusive basis, any Material Intellectual Property to any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (B) GEO shall not be permitted to designate any Restricted Subsidiary that holds Material Intellectual Property as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (C) in no event shall any Unrestricted Subsidiary own or exclusively license any Material Intellectual Property.

 

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Section 5.10 New Real Property Collateral. (i) If, after the Effective Date, any Borrower or any Guarantor shall acquire any Material Real Property which has a net book value exceeding the Material Real Property Threshold, (ii) if, after the Effective Date, any Borrower or any Guarantor shall make improvements upon any existing real property interest which is not already a Material Real Property subject to a Mortgage, resulting in such interest together with such improvements having a net book value exceeding the Material Real Property Threshold, (iii) if any existing real property interest which is not already a Material Real Property subject to a Mortgage shall otherwise have a net book value exceeding the Material Real Property Threshold or (iv) if any existing real property interest which is not already a Material Real Property is designated in writing by the Borrowers as constituting a Material Real Property in order to satisfy the Material Real Property NBV Threshold, and, in each case, if the Administrative Agent elects to encumber such property, then, to the extent not previously delivered for such property:

(a) each Borrower will, and will cause each applicable Guarantor to, (x) no later than 10 Business Days prior to execution of a Mortgage encumbering any such Material Real Property not located in a Flood Zone, deliver a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination from a third-party vendor with respect to such real property, (y) no later than 30 days prior to execution of a Mortgage encumbering any such Material Real Property any portion of which is located in a Flood Zone, furnish to Lenders (i) a written notice of the relevant Borrower or Guarantor’s intent to encumber such Material Real Property and that all or a portion of such Material Real Property is located in a Flood Zone and whether or not flood insurance coverage is available, (ii) a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination from a third-party vendor, and (iii) if required by the Flood Act, evidence of the required flood insurance as further described in clause (vi) below; provided that the applicable Borrower or the applicable Guarantor may enter into any such Mortgage prior to the notice period specified above if the Administrative Agent shall have received confirmation from each applicable Lender that such Lender has completed any necessary flood insurance due diligence to its reasonable satisfaction, and (z) no later than 120 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) after such acquisition or designation, deliver to the Administrative Agent the following documents, all in form and substance substantially similar to what was previously delivered to the Administrative Agent (to the extent applicable); provided that the Borrowers and the Guarantors shall not be required to deliver any of the following documents for any real property if doing so would result in fees and expenses (administrative or otherwise) that, in the Administrative Agent’s determination, would be materially disproportionate to the benefit obtained thereby:

(i) Mortgages in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, duly executed (and, where appropriate in the applicable jurisdiction, acknowledged), and delivered by such Borrower or such Guarantor, as the case may be, in recordable form (in such number of copies as the Administrative Agent shall have requested) and, to the extent necessary with respect to any leasehold property to be subject to a Mortgage, use commercially reasonable efforts by GEO to obtain consents of the respective landlords with respect to such property and, to the extent necessary under applicable law, for filing in the appropriate county land office(s), UCC financing statements covering fixtures, in each case appropriately completed (the “Fixture Filings”); provided, however, that no Mortgage may be filed or recorded on any particular property until each Lender has received a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to such property and, if applicable, customary evidence of any flood insurance required for such property satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; (ii) one or more ALTA mortgagee policies of title insurance on forms of and issued by one or more title companies satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (the “Title Companies”), insuring the validity and priority of the Liens (in accordance of the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements) created under the Mortgages for and in amounts satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, subject only to such exceptions as are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; each such title policy shall contain: (A) full coverage against mechanics’ liens (filed and inchoate) or such surety bonds or other additional collateral as may be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion in lieu of such coverage, (B) a reference to the relevant survey with no survey exceptions except those theretofore approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (C) such affirmative insurance and endorsements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require;

 

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(iii) ALTA, or if not customary in such jurisdiction, as-built surveys of recent date of each of the Facilities to be covered by the Mortgages, showing such matters as may be required by the Administrative Agent, which surveys shall be in form and content acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and certified to the Administrative Agent and to each Lender and the Title Companies, and shall have been prepared by a registered surveyor acceptable to the Administrative Agent or, with respect to existing surveys, an affidavit of an authorized signatory of the owner of such property stating that there have been no improvements or encroachments to the property since the date of the respective survey such that the existing survey is no longer accurate, in form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Title Company in order to remove the standard survey exception;

(iv) certified copies of permanent and unconditional certificates of occupancy (or, if it is not the practice to issue certificates of occupancy in a jurisdiction in which the Facilities to be covered by the Mortgages are located, then such other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) permitting the fully functioning operation and occupancy of each such Facility and of such other permits necessary for the use and operation of each such Facility issued by the respective Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction over each such Facility;

(v) opinions of local counsel in the respective jurisdictions in which the properties covered by the Mortgages are located, regarding the enforceability of such Mortgages, and to the extent not covered in such local counsel opinions, opinions of the applicable Borrower’s or Guarantor’s counsel regarding the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Mortgages, in each case reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent (and each Borrower for itself and on behalf of each Guarantor hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion(s) to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent); (vi) each of (x) a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each property covered by a Mortgage and (y) if applicable, customary evidence of any insurance for such Material Real Property required by the final sentence of Section 5.05; and

 

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(vii) such affidavits, certificates, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as shall be required to induce the Title Companies to issue the title policies and endorsements contemplated above;

(b) GEO shall have paid or caused to be paid to the Title Companies (i) all expenses and premiums of the Title Companies in connection with the issuance of such policies and (ii) an amount equal to the recording, mortgage, intangibles, transfer and stamp taxes payable in connection with recording the Mortgages and the Fixture Filings in the appropriate county land office(s); and

(c) promptly after the acquisition, GEO shall diligently pursue and use all reasonable efforts to obtain landlord consents, estoppel letters or consents and waivers, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in respect of collateral held on leased premises.

Section 5.11 Further Assurances; Certain Real Estate Deliverables.

(a) Further Assurances. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, take such action from time to time as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent to effectuate the purposes and objectives of this Agreement and the Security Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, take such action from time to time (including filing appropriate UCC financing statements and executing and delivering such assignments, security agreements, account control agreements and other instruments) as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to create, in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, perfected security interests and Liens in substantially all of the property of the Borrowers and the Guarantors (other than Excluded Property) as collateral security for obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents as and to the extent provided in the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements.

(b) Certain Real Estate Deliverables. Each Borrower will and will cause each applicable Guarantor to, no later than 180 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) after the Effective Date, deliver to the Administrative Agent with respect to each Material Real Property as of the Effective Date:

(i) Opinion(s) of Local Counsel. Opinions of local counsel in the respective jurisdictions in which the properties covered by the Mortgages are located, regarding the enforceability of such Mortgages, and to the extent not covered in such local counsel opinions, opinions of the applicable Borrower’s or Guarantor’s counsel regarding the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Mortgages, in each case reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent (and each Borrower for itself and on behalf of each Guarantor hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion(s) to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent).

 

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(ii) Mortgages and Title Insurance. The following documents, each of which shall be executed (and, where appropriate, acknowledged) by Persons satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that GEO shall not be required to deliver the following documents for any property that is a Material Real Property if doing so would result in costs (administrative or otherwise) that, in the determination of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, would be materially disproportionate to the benefit obtained thereby:

(A) For all Material Real Property, Mortgages in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, duly executed (and, where appropriate in the applicable jurisdiction, acknowledged) and delivered by such Borrower or such Guarantor, as the case may be, in recordable form (in such number of copies as the Administrative Agent shall have requested) and, to the extent necessary with respect to any leasehold property to be subject to a Mortgage, use commercially reasonable efforts by GEO to obtain consents of the respective landlords with respect to such property and, to the extent necessary under applicable law, for filing in the appropriate county land office(s), Fixture Filings; provided, however, provided however, that no Mortgage may be filed or recorded on any particular property until each Lender has received a completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to such property and, if applicable, customary evidence of any flood insurance required for such property satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders;

(B) one or more ALTA mortgagee policies of title insurance on forms of and issued by the Title Companies, insuring the validity and first lien priority of the Liens created under such Mortgages (as they may be amended) for and in amounts satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, subject only to such exceptions as are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements; each such title policy shall contain: (A) full coverage against mechanics’ liens (filed and inchoate) or such surety bonds or other additional collateral as may be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion in lieu of such coverage, (B) a reference to the relevant survey with no survey exceptions except those theretofore approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (C) such affirmative insurance and endorsements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require;

(C) ALTA, or if not customary in such jurisdiction, as-built surveys of recent date of each of the Facilities to be covered by the Mortgages, showing such matters as may be required by the Administrative Agent, which surveys shall be in form and content acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and certified to the Administrative Agent and to each Lender and the Title Companies, and shall have been prepared by a registered surveyor acceptable to the Administrative Agent or, with respect to existing surveys, an affidavit of an authorized signatory of the owner of such property stating that there have been no improvements or encroachments to the property since the date of the respective survey such that the existing survey is no longer accurate, in form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Title Company in order to remove the standard survey exception;

 

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(D) such affidavits, certificates, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as shall be required to induce the Title Companies to issue the title policies and endorsements contemplated above; and

(E) such other certificates, documents and information as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, including, without limitation, engineering and structural reports, permanent certificates of occupancy and evidence of zoning compliance, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

In addition, GEO shall have paid to the Title Companies (i) all expenses and premiums of the Title Companies in connection with the issuance of such policies and (ii) an amount equal to the recording, mortgage, intangibles, transfer and stamp taxes payable in connection with recording the Mortgages, any amendments to the Mortgages and the Fixture Filings in the appropriate county land office(s).

(c) Deliverables for Increases of the Revolving Credit Commitments, Incremental Term Loans, Etc. GEO will and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, (x) if at such time (A) any improved real property of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries subject to a Mortgage is located (in whole or in part) in a Flood Zone, no later than 30 days, or (B) no improved real property of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries subject to a Mortgage is located (in whole or in part) in a Flood Zone, no later than 10 Business Days, in each case prior to the effectiveness of any Revolving Credit Commitment Increase, any Incremental Term Loan, any extension of any Term Loan Maturity Date or the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date, or any transaction contemplated by Section 9.02(c), furnish to the Lenders a written notice indicating generically that a transaction of the type described hereinabove is under consideration and listing each real property of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries then subject to a Mortgage and indicating which (if any) of such properties are located (in whole or in part) in a Flood Zone and, for each such Flood Zone property, whether or not such property is improved, and (y) no later than 90 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) after any Revolving Credit Commitment Increase and Incremental Term Loan, deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to Mortgages (each, a “Mortgage Amendment”), title insurance and opinions of counsel as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase and Incremental Term Loan; provided, however, notwithstanding anything herein or in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary, the Administrative Agent may waive the requirement for any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to obtain new mortgagee title insurance policies, or to obtain date-down endorsements to previously issued mortgagee title insurance policies, and opinions of counsel in connection with the Mortgage Amendments entered into from time to time, which waiver may be made in Administrative Agent’s sole discretion for any reason (including but not limited to, in the event that (x) the applicable title insurance regulations for the State (including, but not limited to, Texas, New Mexico and New Jersey) in which the related real property is located do not provide for the issuance of the requested endorsement such that a new mortgagee title insurance policy would otherwise be required (or premium charges substantially equivalent thereto would be incurred by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any endorsement); provided that, in such event, any Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary shall endeavor to obtain an endorsement, if available, to such previously issued mortgagee title insurance policies that insures that the title insurance coverage provided by the original mortgagee title insurance policy is not affected by the recording of any Mortgage Amendment, provided the cost for such endorsement is nominal or (y) the relevant property subject to a Mortgage does not qualify as a Material Real Property).

 

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Section 5.12 Fiscal Year. GEO will not change its fiscal year from the calendar year.

Section 5.13 Maintenance of Ratings. GEO shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain (x) public ratings for the Term Loans (and the Incremental Term Loans, if any, and the Refinancing Term Loans, if any) from each of S&P and Moody’s, and (y) a public corporate credit rating and a public corporate family rating in respect of GEO from each of S&P and Moody’s, respectively; provided that in no event shall GEO be required to maintain any specific ratings levels.

Section 5.14 Post-Closing Matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that within the time periods set forth in Schedule 5.14 or within such longer period or periods that the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may permit, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the documents, and perform the actions, set forth in Schedule 5.14.

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full, and all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

Section 6.01 Indebtedness. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Part A of Schedule 3.14 of the Disclosure Supplement (or, to the extent not meeting the minimum thresholds for required listing on said Schedule 3.14 pursuant to Section 3.14, in an aggregate amount not exceeding $10,000,000) and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of all or any part of any such Indebtedness that do not result in an increase of the outstanding principal amount thereof by more than the amount required to pay any penalty, premium, accrued and unpaid interest, and transaction fees and expenses incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement; (c) Guarantees by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by this Section 6.01;

 

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(d) Guarantees permitted by Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(h));

(e) (x) Guarantees by GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt; provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Guarantees (other than the assignment of rights under any Government Contract by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt related to such Government Contract) of Unrestricted Subsidiary Debt shall not exceed $40,000,000 at any time outstanding; and (y) the assignment by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of rights under Immaterial Government Contracts pertaining to a Facility or Facilities owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure related Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(f) Indebtedness of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any assets, including Capital Leases and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any assets or secured by a Lien on any assets prior to the acquisition thereof and Guarantees by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary of any such Indebtedness, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness and Guarantees that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.01(f) shall not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(g) Indebtedness owing (x) by GEO to any Loan Party or, (y) by any Loan Party to GEO or to any other Loan Party, in each case arising from intercompany loans permitted by Section 6.04(d); provided that such Indebtedness shall be subordinate in all respects to the Obligations hereunder;

(h) unsecured Indebtedness of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary (x) for borrowed money, including by means of the issuance of notes and bonds, or (y) incurred in respect of letter of credit facilities of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) the maturity of such Indebtedness shall not be earlier than the latest Maturity Date, (B) the weighted average-life-to-maturity for such Indebtedness shall not be shorter than the weighted average-life-to-maturity for the Term Loans and the Revolving Credit Loans, (C) immediately before and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Pro Forma Total Leverage Ratio does not exceed 4.50:1.00 and (D) immediately before and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Interest Coverage Ratio is greater than 1.75 to 1.00;

 

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(i) Indebtedness of Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; (j) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition or any other acquisition permitted to be made hereunder by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time of such acquisition and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.01(j) shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding; and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness that does not result in an increase of the outstanding principal amount thereof by more than the amount required to pay any penalty, premium, accrued and unpaid interest, and transaction fees and expenses incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement;

(k) [Reserved];

(l) Indebtedness of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect to Incremental Equivalent Debt permitted by Section 2.01(f); and

(m) Indebtedness of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary secured on a junior basis to the Liens securing the Obligations in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $100,000,000.

Section 6.02 Liens. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(a) Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

(b) Permitted Encumbrances;

(c) any Lien on any property or asset of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Part B of Schedule 3.14 of the Disclosure Supplement (or, to the extent not meeting the minimum thresholds for required listing on said Schedule 3.14 pursuant to Section 3.14, in an aggregate amount not exceeding $10,000,000); provided that (i) no such Lien shall extend to any other property or asset of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) any such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof by more than the amount required to pay any penalty, premium, accrued and unpaid interest, and transaction fees and expenses incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement;

(d) Liens on assets acquired, constructed or improved by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(f), (ii) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(e) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i); (f) the assignment by GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of rights under Immaterial Government Contracts pertaining to a Facility or Facilities owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure related Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(g) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition, and (iv) such property or asset is acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition or any other acquisition permitted to be made hereunder;

(h) Liens on the GEO HQ granted pursuant to a real property mortgage (and associated security instruments); provided that such Liens (i) secure solely GEO HQ Indebtedness or any obligations or liabilities under any related Hedging Agreements and (ii) shall not apply to or otherwise encumber any other property or assets of GEO or any of its Subsidiaries;

(i) Liens on property or assets of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiaries securing Incremental Equivalent Debt permitted by Section 2.01(f);

(j) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(m); provided that such Liens shall be subordinated to the Liens securing the Obligations pursuant to an Intercreditor Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(k) [reserved];

(l) [reserved];

(m) [reserved]; and

(n) any Lien or cash resulting from the deposit of funds into an irrevocable escrow in satisfaction of the Maturity Reserve Condition.

Section 6.03 Fundamental Changes. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution). No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, acquire any business or property from, or capital stock of, or be a party to any acquisition of, any Person except for purchases of inventory and other property (other than assets and related rights constituting an ongoing business) to be sold or used in the ordinary course of business and Investments permitted under Section 6.04. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, any part of its business or property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (including receivables and leasehold interests, but excluding (x) property or assets no longer used in its business, (y) any inventory or other property sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary business terms, and (z) any Disposition resulting from a Casualty Event).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom:

(a) any Restricted Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated with or into GEO or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) if any such transaction shall be between a Restricted Subsidiary and a Borrower, either such Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity, or the continuing or surviving Person (which shall be the successor to such Borrower by operation of law (which successor shall have been a Domestic Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger or consolidation) or shall be a wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of GEO) shall expressly assume, confirm and reaffirm its continuing obligations as a Borrower under the Loan Documents and each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have reaffirmed that its Guarantee of, and grant of any Liens as security for, the Obligations shall apply to such surviving Person’s obligations under this Agreement, in each case pursuant to a confirmation, reaffirmation or other agreements or documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the condition described in Section 4.01(o) shall have been satisfied with respect to such continuing or surviving Person (and if any such transaction shall be between GEO and Corrections, GEO shall be the continuing or surviving entity or, if Corrections is the surviving entity, Corrections shall expressly confirm and reaffirm its continuing obligations as a Borrower under the Loan Documents (including its assumption of all such obligations with respect to all Term Loans and Incremental Term Loans) pursuant to a confirmation, reaffirmation or other agreement or documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), and (ii) if any such transaction shall be between a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, on the one hand, and a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, on the other hand, such Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving entity;

(b) any Restricted Subsidiary formed in connection with (and in contemplation of) a Permitted Acquisition may merge with and into the Person such Restricted Subsidiary was formed to acquire in connection with such Permitted Acquisition;

(c) any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Corrections) may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its property (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to GEO or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if any such transaction shall be between a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor and a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, such Guarantor shall be the recipient of such property;

(d) the capital stock of any Subsidiary of GEO may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to any Borrower or any Guarantor;

(e) GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary may sell to any Governmental Authority for fair market value (as determined by an independent appraisal or other opinion made or provided by a Person acceptable to the Administrative Agent) (or, if less, the net book value when required by such Governmental Authority) any Facility managed or operated by GEO or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Government Contract with such Governmental Authority so long as the aggregate amount of non-cash proceeds from all such sales do not exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

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(f) GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary may sell or discount without recourse accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business; provided that the aggregate face or principal amount of all such accounts receivable sold at less than par value or otherwise discounted after the Effective Date shall not exceed $25,000,000; (g) GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary may sell or otherwise dispose of assets (including to Affiliates, subject to Section 6.06) not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.03; provided that (i) such sale or disposition shall be for cash (including by Installment Sale or similar transaction involving periodic cash payments over time) for fair market value (which, if in excess of $35,000,000, shall be determined in good faith by the board of directors of GEO; provided that, if the board of directors of GEO so determines that the fair market value of such assets is equal to or greater than $50,000,000, then the fair market value shall be determined by an independent appraisal or other opinion made or provided by a valuation firm or other Person acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such appraisal or other opinion (and all supporting documentation therefor) shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to the Lenders) prior to or substantially concurrently with the consummation of such Disposition) and (ii) GEO shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the certification required by the final sentence of Section 2.10(b)(ii) with respect to such Disposition;

(h) GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary may sell any property, business or assets acquired in any acquisition permitted hereunder, including any Permitted Acquisition, to the extent that the same is not related to the construction, design, operation or development of any Facility;

(i) GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary may sell Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

(j) GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary may make Permitted Acquisitions;

(k) any Restricted Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated into any Unrestricted Subsidiary provided that GEO designates the continuing or surviving entity as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 5.09(d) hereof;

(l) BII Holding Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries may sell Investments referred to in Section 6.04(o), and amounts owing to it or any of them under operating leases, in the ordinary course of business substantially as conducted by it or any of them prior to the time that BII Holding Corporation became a Subsidiary of GEO; and

(m) (i) GEO may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property or assets to Corrections or to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor and (ii) Corrections may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property or assets to GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor.

For purposes of this Section 6.03, all determinations of fair market value of any Facility shall include consideration of rights under any Government Contract transferred in connection therewith.

Section 6.04 Investments. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments except:

(a) Investments outstanding on the date hereof and identified in Part B of Schedule 3.16 of the Disclosure Supplement; (d) intercompany loans made by GEO to any Loan Party and by any Loan Party to GEO or to any other Loan Party;

 

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(b) Permitted Acquisitions;

(c) Permitted Investments;

(e) Hedging Agreements entered into to hedge, manage or mitigate risks to which GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities;

(f) operating deposit accounts with banks;

(g) to the extent they constitute Investments, contributions to Plans and Multiemployer Plans;

(h) Guarantees or other Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01;

(i) Investments consisting of security deposits with utilities and other like Persons made in the ordinary course of business;

(j) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, joint ventures and/or Other Consolidated Persons (x) in an aggregate amount for all such Investments made after the Effective Date not to exceed $100,000,000 (the “Cumulative Cap”) or (y) made for the purpose of constructing or improving Facilities owned by GEO or a Subsidiary, provided that (i) the Cumulative Cap shall be increased from time to time by the aggregate amount of dividends, distributions, returns of capital or other payments received in cash after the Effective Date by GEO and the Restricted Subsidiaries from Unrestricted Subsidiaries in respect of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (except that any such amount included in Net Income shall increase the Cumulative Cap by only 50% of such amount) and (ii) in the case of Investments made as permitted by the foregoing clause (y), (A) all such Investments made in Persons that are not wholly-owned Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be in the form of senior secured or unsecured loans, shall have no contractual restrictions or limitations on repayment and shall be evidenced by promissory notes delivered in pledge under the Collateral Agreement, and (B) the aggregate amount of such Investments shall not exceed $75,000,000 at any time outstanding (calculated as the aggregate amount invested minus the aggregate amount recovered in respect of such Investment);

(k) [reserved];

(l) Investments in an aggregate amount, so long as made or paid in cash (excluding Equity Interests of GEO and/or its Subsidiaries but including the assumption of Indebtedness in connection with such Investments), made after the date hereof not exceeding the amount of Net Available Proceeds from Equity Issuances consummated after the date hereof, not used to make Permitted Acquisitions and Not Otherwise Applied; (m) additional Investments in Persons other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries not exceeding $75,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

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(n) Investments in Subsidiaries of GEO outstanding on the Effective Date (and any replacements thereof provided that the aggregate principal amount thereof is not increased);

(o) Investments made in the ordinary course of business in customers constituting capital leases entered into with such customers;

(p) [reserved];

(q) Investments in Restricted Subsidiaries that are Corrections or Guarantors;

(r) Investments in Persons that are not Affiliates or joint ventures of GEO or its Subsidiaries, nor Other Consolidated Persons, made for the purpose of acquiring, constructing or improving Facilities owned or leased by such Persons and operated by GEO or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a contract that has been assigned pursuant to the Collateral Assignment, in an aggregate amount not exceeding 5.0% of consolidated total assets of GEO, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons (calculated on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP) at any time outstanding (such Investments under this clause (r), “Developmental Investments”); and

(s) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Available Amount.

For purposes of Section 6.04(m), the aggregate outstanding amount of an Investment at any time shall be deemed to be equal to (A) the aggregate amount of cash, together with the aggregate fair market value of property, loaned, advanced, contributed, transferred or otherwise invested that gives rise to such Investment minus (B) the aggregate amount of dividends, distributions or other payments received in cash or property in respect of such Investment; the amount of an Investment shall not in any event be reduced by reason of any write-off of such Investment nor increased by any increase in the amount of earnings retained in the Person in which such Investment is made that have not been dividended, distributed or otherwise paid out.

Section 6.05 Restricted Payments. No Borrower will, nor will any Borrower permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except that:

 

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(a) to the extent constituting a Restricted Payment, any payment on account of a “call spread,” “capped call” or similar Hedging Agreement or other transaction involving the 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes or other convertible debt securities, made by delivery of common stock of GEO or funded from the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01 to refinance such 2026 Exchangeable Senior Notes or other convertible debt securities or from the set-off, exercise or settlement of any related transaction; (b) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and the Total Leverage Ratio on a pro forma basis does not exceed 3.50:1.00, GEO may declare and make Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount that, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made (or to be made as a result of a declaration thereof) pursuant to this clause (b), shall not exceed in the aggregate the sum of (1) the greater of (x) the Retained ECF Amount and (y) $5,000,000 per fiscal year (commencing with the 2024 fiscal year), with unused amounts under this clause (y) carried over to future years, plus (2) an additional amount, so long as made or paid in cash, equal to the aggregate amount of Net Available Proceeds of Equity Issuances of GEO received during or after the first fiscal year of GEO ended after the Effective Date and Not Otherwise Applied minus (3) the amount of Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(s) (the amount available at any time of determination to be utilized for Restricted Payments under this clause (b), the “Available Amount”);

(c) (x) Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties may make Restricted Payments to other Restricted Subsidiaries or to GEO, and (y) Restricted Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties may make Restricted Payments to other Loan Parties;

(d) GEO may declare and pay non-cash dividends with respect to its capital stock payable in additional shares of common stock of GEO (it being understood that such non-cash dividends may be paid concurrently with any other dividends (including those payable in cash) otherwise expressly permitted to be declared and made hereunder);

(e) GEO may (x) make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with customary stock option plans or other benefit plans established in the ordinary course of business for directors, management, employees or consultants of GEO and its Subsidiaries in any fiscal year of GEO in an aggregate amount of (1) $2,500,000, plus (2), commencing with the 2025 fiscal year, that portion of any such $2,500,000 in allowable Restricted Payments for each preceding fiscal year (commencing with the 2024 fiscal year) that shall not have been made during such applicable preceding fiscal year, plus (3) the amount of any repurchases deemed to occur upon the withholding of a portion of the equity interests or options granted or awarded to such directors, management, employees or consultants to pay for the Taxes payable by such Person upon such grant or award (or upon the vesting thereof) and (y) pay dividends upon the vesting of any awards issued under customary stock option plans or other benefit plans established in the ordinary course of business for directors, management, employees or consultants of GEO and its Subsidiaries at a time when GEO was classified as a real estate investment trust under the Code, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $3,000,000; and

(f) GEO may repurchase its common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed an amount equal to 10% of the original principal amount of convertible debt securities repurchased in connection with a Tax Savings Repurchase Event.

Section 6.06 Transactions with Affiliates. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) transactions at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties; (b) transactions between or among the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (c) transactions expressly permitted to be undertaken with or for the benefit of Affiliates by any of Sections 6.01, 6.03, and 6.04, and (d) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.05.

 

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Section 6.07 Restrictive Agreements. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of GEO or any Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its assets, or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis in respect of any class of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that:

(i) the foregoing shall not apply to (x) restrictions and conditions imposed by any of the Senior Note Indentures, by law or by any Loan Document, (y) restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.07 of the Disclosure Supplement (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition) and (z) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Restricted Subsidiary pending such sale; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Restricted Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder; and

(ii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to (x) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (y) customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof and (z) customary restrictions imposed on any real estate investment trust by the terms of preferred stock issued by such real estate investment trust requiring the prior payment of dividends to its holders of such preferred stock; provided that the aggregate amount of such dividends payable on all such preferred stock containing such restrictions held by Persons other than GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not exceed $75,000 for any calendar year.

Section 6.08 Modifications of Certain Documents. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consent to any modification, supplement or waiver of any of the provisions of any of the Senior Note Indentures without the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld), except for the addition of guarantors in accordance with the terms of any of the Senior Note Indentures (provided that all such guarantors shall be or immediately become Guarantors) and such other modifications, supplements or waivers not materially adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

Section 6.09 Certain Financial Covenants.

(a) Total Leverage Ratio. GEO will not permit the Total Leverage Ratio on the last day of each of GEO’s fiscal quarters during any period set forth in the following table to exceed the ratio set forth therein with respect to such period:

 

Period

   Ratio  

Effective Date through March 31, 2025

     5.25:1.00  

April 1, 2025 through September 30, 2025

     5.00:1.00  

October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026

     4.75:1.00  

April 1, 2026 and thereafter

     4.50:1.00  

 

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(b) First Lien Leverage Ratio. GEO will not permit the First Lien Leverage Ratio on the last day of each of GEO’s fiscal quarters during any period set forth in the following table to exceed the ratio set forth therein with respect to such period:

 

Period

   Ratio  

Effective Date through September 30, 2025

     3.25:1.00  

October 1, 2025 and thereafter

     3.00:1.00  

(c) Interest Coverage Ratio. GEO will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio on the last day of each of GEO’s fiscal quarters to be less than 1.75 to 1.00.

Section 6.10 Limitations on Exchange and Issuance of Equity Interests. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any class or series of Equity Interests that, by its terms or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable, is, or upon the occurrence of any event or the lapse of time would be, (a) convertible or exchangeable into Indebtedness or (b) required to be redeemed or repurchased, including at the option of the holder, in whole or in part.

Section 6.11 Nature of Business. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than a Permitted Business.

Section 6.12 Impairment of Security Interest. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, take or omit to take any action, which might reasonably be expected to materially impair, or would have the result of materially impairing, the security interests in favor of the Administrative Agent with respect to the collateral granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties or grant to any Person (other than the Administrative Agent for the benefit of itself and the other Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Documents) any interest whatsoever in such collateral, except for Liens permitted under Section 6.02 and asset sales permitted under Section 6.03.

Section 6.13 Payments and Prepayments of Subordinated Debt. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay for or make, directly or indirectly, any payment of principal or interest or any purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition or defeasance with respect to any Indebtedness of such Person which is subordinated in right of payment to the payment of the Obligations except that so long as no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing or would immediately result therefrom, any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may make payments of Subordinated Debt to the extent permitted by the subordination provisions applicable thereto.

 

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Section 6.14 [Reserved].

Section 6.15 REIT Status. GEO will not elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856-860 of the Code.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 7.01 Events of Default. If any of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”) shall occur:

(a) any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Section) payable by any Borrower under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three or more Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or any waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or any waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed made in any material respect;

(d) any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a)(i), Section 5.03 (with respect to any Borrower’s respective existence), Section 5.08, Section 5.09, Section 5.10, Section 5.11(b) and Section 5.14 or in Article VI; provided that an Event of Default under this clause (d) resulting from failure to comply with Section 6.09(c) (a “Specified Financial Covenant Event of Default”) shall not constitute an Event of Default for purposes of any Term Loan unless and until the Required Revolving Credit Lenders have terminated their Revolving Credit Commitments and declared all Revolving Credit Loans to be due and payable;

(e) GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Section) and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 or more days after notice thereof has been given to GEO by the Administrative Agent;

 

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(f) GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment of principal or interest (regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any grace, cure or notice periods as originally in effect, without regard to any extension of any such periods); (g) any event or condition shall occur that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of (x) the voluntary sale or transfer of property or assets or any casualty in respect of property or assets or (y) the furnishing of a notice of redemption or prepayment of such Indebtedness in connection with a refinancing or replacement thereof permitted by Section 6.01 or Section 6.13;

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of GEO or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or their respective debts, or of a substantial part of their respective assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator, liquidator, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory administrator, provisional liquidator, receiver and manager, controller or similar official for GEO or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of their respective assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for a period of 60 or more days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) GEO or any of its Significant Subsidiaries shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator, liquidator, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory administrator, provisional liquidator, receiver and manager, controller or similar official for GEO or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of their respective assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) GEO or any of its Significant Subsidiaries shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (excluding any portion thereof covered by insurance issued by a creditworthy company that has admitted liability in respect thereof) in excess of $25,000,000 shall be rendered against GEO or any of its Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of GEO or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment, or (ii) a settlement of any shareholder litigation or shareholder derivative action shall occur requiring GEO and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to make an aggregate payment of money with respect to such shareholder litigation or such shareholder derivative action (excluding any portion thereof covered by insurance issued by a creditworthy company that has admitted liability in respect thereof) in excess of $50,000,000; (l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000,000 in any year;

 

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(m) any one or more Environmental Liability claims shall have been asserted against GEO or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; GEO and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be reasonably likely to incur Environmental Liability as a result thereof; and such Environmental Liability claims could be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(n) a Change in Control shall occur; or

(o) any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on GEO or any of its Subsidiaries party thereto or any such Person shall so state in writing or the Liens created by the Security Documents shall at any time not constitute a valid and perfected Lien on the collateral intended to be covered thereby (to the extent perfection by filing, registration, recordation or possession is required herein or therein) in favor of the Administrative Agent, free and clear of all other Liens (other than Liens permitted under Section 6.02 or under the respective Security Documents), or, except for expiration in accordance with its terms, any of the Security Documents shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect, or the enforceability thereof shall be contested by any Borrower;

then, and in every such event (other than (x) an event with respect to any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Section and (y) a Specified Financial Covenant Event of Default unless and until the Required Revolving Credit Lenders have terminated their Revolving Credit Commitments and declared all Revolving Credit Loans to be due and payable), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to GEO, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, including the Prepayment Premium, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; and in case of any event with respect to any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Section, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, including the Prepayment Premium, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; and in case of any Specified Financial Covenant Event of Default, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Revolving Credit Lenders shall, by notice to GEO, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Revolving Credit Commitments, and thereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Revolving Credit Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder with respect thereto shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.

 

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Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC.

Section 7.02 Application of Payments.

(a) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding (but subject to Section 7.02(b) and to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements), following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default all payments received by the Administrative Agent (including any payments received in respect of optional and mandatory prepayments under Section 2.10) shall be applied as follows:

(i) first, to the payment to the Administrative Agent of its costs, fees, indemnities, liabilities and expenses, if any, including reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent and the fees and expenses of its agents and its counsels;

(ii) second, to the payment in full of the principal of and interest on the Loans and to provide cover for all LC Exposure as specified in Section 2.05(k), in each case ratably in accordance with the respective amounts thereof; and

(iii) third, to GEO, or its successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

(b) Anything herein or in any Security Document to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default all amounts received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Documents shall be applied as follows:

(i) first, to the payment of the costs and expenses of the collection, sale or other realization pursuant to the Security Documents, including reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel, and all other costs, fees, indemnities, liabilities and expenses incurred;

(ii) second, to the payment in full of the Obligations, in each case (except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 2.16) equally and ratably in accordance with the respective amounts thereof then due and owing (for which purpose it is acknowledged and agreed that any obligation then due and owing to deposit cash cover in respect of outstanding Letters of Credit is an Obligation then due and owing) or as the Secured Parties holding the same may otherwise agree; and (iii) third, to the payment to GEO, or its successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct, of any surplus then remaining.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the proceeds of any cash or other amounts held in the Collateral Account pursuant to Section 2.05(k) shall be applied first to the LC Exposure outstanding from time to time and second to the other Obligations in the manner provided above in this Section 7.02(b).

ARTICLE VIII

AGENCY

Section 8.01 Administrative Agent.

(a) Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereby appoints Citizens Bank, N.A. to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except for Section 8.06(b), below, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, and none of the Loan Parties shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Counterparty and a potential Cash Management Bank) and each Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and such Issuing Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article VIII and Article IX (including Section 9.03(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

 

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Section 8.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as Administrative Agent and each Person named as a Lead Arranger hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent or a Lead Arranger and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include each Person serving or named as the Administrative Agent or a Lead Arranger hereunder in such Person’s individual capacity. Such Persons and their Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with GEO or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent or a Lead Arranger hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

Section 8.03 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents) and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 9.02) and, upon receipt of such instructions from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be), the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with such instructions; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to GEO or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the final paragraph of Section 7.01 or Section 9.02); provided that any act or omission to act taken by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances) shall not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the exercise of its “sole” or “absolute” discretion as expressly provided for in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or (iii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” and describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by GEO, a Lender or an Issuing Lender;

(d) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent; and

(e) Nothing herein or in any other Loan Document or related documents shall obligate the Administrative Agent to advance, expend or risk its own funds, or to take any action which in its reasonable judgment may cause it to incur any expense or financial or other liability for which it is not adequately indemnified.

Section 8.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, amendment, increase, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal, increase or extension of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Loan Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

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Section 8.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

Section 8.06 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent.

(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and GEO. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with GEO, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States, or other entity that serves as administrative agent in other similar syndicated credit facilities. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall such any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender at the time of such succession. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

(b) If the Administrative Agent adopts policies or makes any public statement that it no longer intends to support (or to reduce its support of) the businesses of its clients operating in the same or similar industries as GEO (“Adverse Administrative Agent”), GEO may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to such Person remove any Person serving as Administrative Agent, in which case, the Required Lenders may, in consultation with GEO, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date. For purposes of this Section 8.06(b), the determination of the Required Lenders shall not give effect to the outstanding loans and commitments of any Lender who is, or who is an Affiliate of, the Adverse Administrative Agent.

(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each Issuing Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above.

 

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Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 2.15(i) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring, retired or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall (to the extent not already discharged as provided above) be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between GEO and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (x) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Secured Parties and (y) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

Section 8.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring and/or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Lender or Issuing Lender for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or Issuing Lender, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Lender and each Issuing Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring and/or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.

 

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Section 8.08 Collateral and Guaranty Matters. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02(b) with respect to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may, with the prior consent of the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders (or number or percentage of the Lenders) as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), consent to any modification, supplement or waiver under any of the Loan Documents; provided that, without the prior consent of each Lender, the Administrative Agent shall not (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in the Security Documents) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or otherwise terminate all or substantially all of the Liens under the Security Documents, agree to additional obligations being secured by all or substantially all of such collateral (unless the Lien for such additional obligations shall be pari passu with, or junior to, the Liens in favor of the other obligations secured by such Security Document, in which event the Administrative Agent may consent to such Lien and the documentation therefor, provided that, unless such Lien is permitted hereunder, the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders (or number or percentage of the Lenders) as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) shall have consented thereto), alter the relative priorities of the obligations entitled to the benefits of the Liens created under the Security Documents with respect to all or substantially all of such collateral, or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors under the Loan Documents from their Guarantee obligations thereunder; provided, further, that no such consent shall be required, and the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized, at its option and in its sole discretion, to (a) release (or to confirm or further evidence the release of) (i) any Lien covering property (and to release any such Guarantor) that (x) is the subject of a disposition of property permitted hereunder, a disposition to which the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders (or number or percentage of the Lenders) as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) have consented or the designation of any such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.09(d), (y) at such time constitutes Excluded Property or Excluded Real Property, or (z) the release of which has been consented to by such Lenders (or such number or percentage of the Lenders) as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02, (ii) any Subsidiary from its obligations under the Loan Documents in accordance with the terms of the applicable Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or a Guarantor, as applicable, as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or a designation pursuant to Section 5.09(d), and (iii) all of the Liens under the Loan Documents and all of the Loan Parties from their obligations under the Loan Documents, in each case under this clause (iii) upon the occurrence of the Release Date, (b) subordinate (or to confirm or further evidence the subordination of) any Lien covering property that is the subject of any Permitted Land Use Encumbrance to such Permitted Land Use Encumbrance or (c) consent to any Permitted Land Use Encumbrance.

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders (or number or percentage of the Lenders) as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Loan Party from its obligations under the Loan Documents pursuant to this Section 8.08.

 

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In each case as specified in this Section 8.08, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrowers’ expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Loan Party from its obligations under the Loan Documents, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 8.08.

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, upon the written request of GEO at any time, any existing Mortgage may be released so long as (i) the Borrowers shall continue to otherwise satisfy the Material Real Property NBV Threshold requirement (whether through existing Mortgages or by the designation of one or more replacement Material Real Properties and the delivery of new Mortgages on such replacement Material Real Properties), (ii) the Material Real Property encumbered by such Mortgage does not have a net book value that exceeds the Material Real Property Threshold and (iii) the applicable Material Real Property does not secure (or is substantially concurrently released from) any Senior Notes or Incremental Equivalent Debt.

Section 8.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LC Exposure shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Exposure and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.11 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the Issuing Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.11 and 9.03.

 

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Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the Issuing Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the Issuing Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the Issuing Lender or in any such proceeding.

The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, (b) at any other sale or foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Equity Interests thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in clauses (i) through (xii) of Section 9.02(b)), and (iii) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Lenders pro rata and the Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

Section 8.10 Hedge Counterparties and Cash Management Banks. Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Counterparty that obtains the benefits of any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Security Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its (or its Affiliate’s) capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VIII to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Cash Management Obligations or obligations under Hedging Agreements of Hedge Counterparties unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Cash Management Obligations or obligations under Hedging Agreements of Hedge Counterparties, as applicable, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Counterparty, as the case may be.

Section 8.11 Lead Arrangers. Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, each Lead Arranger is named as such for recognition purposes only, and in its capacity as such shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; it being understood and agreed that the Left Lead Arranger shall be entitled to all indemnification and reimbursement rights in favor of the Administrative Agent provided herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limitation of the foregoing, no Lead Arranger, in its capacity as such, shall, by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender, any Borrower or any other Person.

Section 8.12 Erroneous Payments.

(a) Each Lender and each Issuing Lender hereby agrees that (i) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender or Issuing Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender or Issuing Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Lender or Issuing Lender (whether or not known to such Lender or Issuing Lender) (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and demands the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender or Issuing Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender or Issuing Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender or Issuing Lender shall not assert any right or claim to the Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments received, including, without limitation, waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar theory or doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or any Issuing Lender under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender and each Issuing Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a payment from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by notice of payment, or (z) that such Lender or Issuing Lender otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each case, if an error has been made each such Lender and Issuing Lender is deemed to have knowledge of such error at the time of receipt of such Erroneous Payment, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender or Issuing Lender shall not assert any right or claim to the Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments received, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar theory or doctrine. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender agrees that, in each such case, it shall promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge (or deemed knowledge) of such error) notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in all events no later than two Business Days thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender or Issuing Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

(c) The Borrowers and each other Loan Party hereby agree that (x) in the event an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Lender or Issuing Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason (and without limiting the Administrative Agent’s rights and remedies under this Section 8.12), the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender or Issuing Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by any Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that this Section 8.12 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of the Loan Parties relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided further that, for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (c) shall not apply to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from, or on behalf of (including through the exercise of remedies under any Loan Document), the Loan Parties for the purpose of a payment on the Obligations.

(d) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent provided by Law, each Lender or Issuing Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to, without prior written notice to any Lender or Issuing Lender, any such notice being expressly waived by such Lender or Issuing Lender to the extent permitted by applicable law, set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or Issuing Lender under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender or Issuing Lender under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that the Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned under immediately preceding clause (a).

 

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(e) Each party’s obligations under this Section 8.12 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, the termination of the Commitments, the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document or the termination of the Loan Documents.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01 Notices.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 9.01(b)), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or e-mail, as follows:

 

  (i)

if to the Borrowers:

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431    

Attention: Shayn March

Telephone No.: 561-999-7526

Telecopy No.: 561-999-7622

Email: smarch@geogroup.com

with copies to:

Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre

98 Southeast Seventh Street

Suite 1100

Miami, Florida 33131

Attention: William C. Arnhols

Telephone No.: 305-982-5623

Telecopy No.: 305-374-5095

Email: william.arnhols@akerman.com

and

The GEO Group, Inc.

4955 Technology Way

Boca Raton, Florida 33431    

Attention: Joe Negron

Telephone No.: 561-999-7350

Telecopy No.: 561-999-7647

Email: jnegron@geogroup.com

 

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  (ii)

if to the Administrative Agent:

Citizens Bank, N.A.

Agency Servicing

20 Cabot Road

Medford, MA 02155

CMLAgencyServicing@citizensbank.com

 

  (iii)

if to a Lender, to it at its address set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 9.01(b), shall be effective as provided in said Section 9.01(b).

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any Issuing Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or GEO may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in clause (i) of this sentence of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) Change of Address, Etc. Any party hereto may change its address or telecopier number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto (or, in the case of any such change by a Lender, by notice to GEO and the Administrative Agent).

 

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(d) Platform. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders materials and/or information provided by, or on behalf of, GEO, its Subsidiaries and the Other Consolidated Persons hereunder (collectively, the “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Intralinks, DebtDomain or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) or otherwise in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s standard practices, and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material nonpublic information with respect to GEO, its Subsidiaries or their respective securities of any of the foregoing (collectively, “MNPI”) (each, a “Public Lender”)). Each Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof, (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrowers shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any MNPI for purposes of foreign or United States Federal and state securities laws (provided that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.12(b)), (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor,” and (z) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Borrower Materials shall be deemed to be marked “PUBLIC,” unless GEO notifies the Administrative Agent promptly that any such document contains MNPI: (i) the Loan Documents, (ii) any notification of changes in the terms of the Commitments or the Loans and (iii) all information furnished pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) and (e).

Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including United States Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to communications that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain MNPI.

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES WARRANTS THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY COMMUNICATIONS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EACH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY COMMUNICATIONS ON OR THROUGH THE PLATFORM. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS IS MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM.

 

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IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY BORROWER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, ANY SECURED PARTY OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER OR NOT BASED ON STRICT LIABILITY AND INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF THE BORROWERS’ OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES’ OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY SUCH PERSON IS FOUND IN A FINAL RULING BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED FROM SUCH PERSON’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

Each Lender agrees that receipt of notice to it (as provided above) specifying that the communications have been posted to the Platform shall constitute effective delivery of such communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Section 9.02 Waivers; Amendments.

(a) No Deemed Waivers; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrowers therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 9.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Amendments. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into (x) if, at such time, the Term Loan Exposure exceeds 35% of the Aggregate Credit Facilities Amount, by the Borrowers, the Required Term Lenders (except as set forth in clause (xii) below) and the Required Revolving Credit Lenders, or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Term Lenders (except as set forth in clause (xii) below) and the Required Revolving Credit Lenders or (y) if, at such time, the Term Loan Exposure does not exceed 35% of the Aggregate Credit Facilities Amount, by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders (except as set forth in clause (xii) below) or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders (except as set forth in clause (xii) below); provided that, in each case, no such agreement shall:

(i) increase any Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that the waiver of a condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or the waiver of any Default or Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of Commitments, in each case shall not constitute an increase of any Commitment of any Lender); (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (it being understood that the waiver of any Default or Event of Default shall not constitute such a reduction);

 

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(iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment (in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding amendments to Section 2.10(b)(i), (ii) or (iii)), without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (it being understood that the waiver of any Default or Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of Commitments, in each case shall not constitute such a postponement, reduction, waiver or excusal);

(iv) change Section 2.16(c) or (d) or any similar provision in any Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(v) change any of the provisions of this Section 9.02(b) or the percentage in the definition of the term “Required Lenders”, “Required Revolving Credit Lenders”, “Required Term Lenders” or any other provision hereof expressly specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby;

(vi) permit any subordination of the principal or interest on any Loan or the obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.05(f) for all LC Disbursements, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby;

(vii) release the Borrowers from their obligations under the Loan Documents (other than as specifically permitted or contemplated in this Agreement) without the prior written consent of each Lender;

(viii) permit any assignment (other than as specifically permitted or contemplated in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents) of any of the Borrowers’ rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender;

(ix) (a) release (x) all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions or (y) other than in connection with (1) the release of a Mortgage pursuant to and in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 8.08 or (2) a Disposition of the Collateral thereunder permitted by this Agreement, any of the Mortgages (it being understood that any (A) modification of the definition of the term “Material Real Property” or (B) exercise of discretion by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement, in each case shall not constitute such a release), or (b) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of any Loan Document and release any guarantees or Liens or pledges in connection therewith so as to (x) release the Liens of the Secured Parties in all or substantially all of the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantors’ obligations under the Guaranty Agreement or subordinate the rights or claims of the Secured Parties with respect thereto, or (y) permit the release or Disposition of all or substantially all of the outstanding Equity Interests, all or substantially all of the assets, or all or substantially all of the business of, GEO, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case, other than, in each case, the payment in full, in cash, of the Obligations, in each case under clauses (a) and (b) without the prior written consent of each Lender;

 

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(x) change Section 2.10(b)(v) or Section 7.02 or Section 5.4 of the Collateral Agreement in a manner that would alter the application of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby;

(xi) subordinate any of the Obligations hereunder to any other Indebtedness or other Obligations in any transaction or series of transactions or subordinate the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to Liens securing any other Indebtedness or other Obligations in any transaction or series of transactions (including, without limitation, Indebtedness issued under this Agreement) without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; and

(xii) (i) amend or otherwise modify Section 6.09(c) (or solely for the purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenant set forth in such Section, any defined terms used therein), (ii) waive or consent to any Default or Event of Default resulting from a breach of Section 6.09(c), (iii) alter the rights or remedies of the Required Revolving Credit Lenders arising pursuant to Article VII as a result of a breach of Section 6.09(c) or (iv) waive any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 with respect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, Swingline Borrowing or issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, in each case, without the written consent of the Required Revolving Credit Lenders; provided, however, that the amendments, modifications, waivers and consents described in this clause (xii) shall not require the consent of any Lenders other than the Required Revolving Credit Lenders (and, as applicable, the Swingline Lender);

and provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights, duties responsibilities, obligations or indemnities of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, respectively.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that the waiver of a condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or the waiver of any Default or Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of Commitments, in each case shall not constitute an increase or extension of any Commitment of any Lender) and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

 

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Notwithstanding any other language to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any amendment, waiver or modification to which the Administrative Agent’s consent is not required, the parties agree to deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of each such amendment, waiver or modification; provided that, (i) no party shall be liable for its failure to comply with this sentence and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall not be bound by any such amendment unless and until it has received a copy thereof.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall be permitted to amend such provision, and, in each case, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders to the Administrative Agent within 10 Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and such Lender shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.

(c) Amend and Extend. Subject to the last paragraph of clause (b) above, notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, any amendment or modification that extends the date required for the payment of principal of any Loan of any Class and/or the termination date for any Commitment of any Class (which amendment or modification may but shall not be required to include increasing the Applicable Rate for any Lender that agrees to such extension for its Loans and/or Commitments of such Class (a “Consenting Lender”)) shall require only the consents of (i) the Borrowers and the Guarantors, (ii) such Consenting Lender, (iii) the Required Lenders of such Class, (iv) the Administrative Agent and (v) if such Class includes Revolving Credit Loans and/or Revolving Credit Commitments, each Issuing Lender affected thereby and the Swingline Lender. No such extension shall apply to any Loan or any Commitment of any Lender that is not a Consenting Lender.

(d) Waivers of Certain Conditions. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (x) no waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement that has the effect (either immediately or at some later time) of enabling any Borrower to satisfy a condition precedent to the making of a Loan of any Class shall be effective against the Lenders of such Class for purposes of the Commitments of such Class unless the Required Lenders of such Class shall have concurred with such waiver or modification, and (y) no waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Lenders of any Class in a manner that does not affect all Classes equally shall be effective against the Lenders of such Class unless the Required Lenders of such Class shall have concurred with such waiver or modification.

 

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Section 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrowers, jointly and severally, agree to pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel (including local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, or any demand for payment thereunder, (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary outside counsel and one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction as reasonably required, and, in the case of an actual or potential conflict of interest among the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (or any of them), one additional counsel to each group of similarly affected Lenders (taken as a whole)), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights, whether in any action, work-out, restructuring, suit or litigation, or any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar proceeding affecting creditors’ rights generally, (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit and (iv) and all costs, expenses, taxes, assessments and other charges incurred in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by any Security Document or any other document referred to therein.

(b) Indemnification by the Borrowers. The Borrowers agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lead Arranger, each Lender, the Swingline Lender, each Issuing Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrowers arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) and any payments that the Administrative Agent is required to make under any indemnity issued to any bank to which remittances in respect of Accounts (as defined in the UCC), as defined in the Collateral Agreement, are to be made, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by any Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to any Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Borrower, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (y) except with respect to the Administrative Agent and its Related Parties, result from a claim brought by any Borrower against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if any Borrower has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (z) arise with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses arising from any non-Tax claim addressed in Section 2.15 hereof.

 

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(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that any Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Sections 9.03(a) or (b) to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), an Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender in connection with such capacity.

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Borrower shall assert, and each Borrower hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan, Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after demand therefor.

Section 9.04 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally.

 

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The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with Section 9.04(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with Section 9.04(d) or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 9.04(f) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender, Participants, to the extent provided in Section 9.04(d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) to any Person; provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts; Resulting Commitments.

(A) In the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned;

(B) in any case not described in Section 9.04(b)(i)(A), the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of a Revolving Credit Commitment or a Refinancing Revolving Commitment, $1,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of any Term Loan Commitment, an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or a Refinancing Term Loan Commitment, in each case unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, GEO otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); and

(C) immediately after giving effect to any such assignment of Revolving Credit Commitments, with respect to each of the assignor Lender and the assignee Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed its Revolving Credit Commitment.

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations in respect of different Classes of Commitments on a non-pro rata basis.

 

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(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund except to the extent required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(B) and, in addition:

(A) the consent of GEO (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that (x) no such consent of GEO shall be required for assignments made by any Lead Arranger or an Affiliate thereof in furtherance of primary syndication of the Term Loans, to the extent such assignments are made in accordance with any arrangements separately agreed upon between GEO and such Lead Arranger, and (y) GEO shall be deemed to have given its consent ten days after the date a request therefor has been delivered by the Administrative Agent unless such consent is expressly refused in writing by GEO prior to such tenth day;

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (x) a Revolving Credit Commitment, a Term Loan Commitment or an Incremental Term Loan Commitment no part of which has been utilized if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment of such Class, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender or (y) a Term Loan Commitment, a Term Loan or an Incremental Term Loan Commitment which has been utilized to a Person who is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;

(C) the consent(s) of the relevant Issuing Lender(s) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding); and

(D) the consent of the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), and the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and all documentation and other information reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be required by applicable regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

 

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(v) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person).

(vi) No Assignment to Defaulting Lender. No such assignment shall be made to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (vi).

(vii) Limitations on Assignments to GEO and its Affiliates. No such assignments shall be made to GEO or any of its Affiliates, except, solely with respect to Term Loans, as otherwise provided below in this Section.

(viii) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of GEO and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this clause (viii), then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, each Term Lender shall have the right at any time to sell, assign or transfer all or a portion of the Term Loans owing to it to GEO (but not any Subsidiary of GEO) on a non-pro rata basis (provided, however, that each assignment shall be of a uniform, and not varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under and in respect of any applicable Term Loan) pursuant to (x) one or more modified Dutch auctions (each, an “Auction”) to repurchase all or any portion of the Term Loans (provided that, (A) notice of the Auction shall be made to all Term Lenders and (B) the Auction shall be conducted pursuant to such procedures which are consistent with this Section 9.04(b) as the Auction Manager may establish and otherwise reasonably acceptable to GEO, the Auction Manager, and the Administrative Agent) or (y) open market purchases, in each case subject to the following additional limitations: (A) with respect to all purchases made by GEO pursuant to this Section 9.04(b), (I) GEO shall deliver to the Auction Manager, if applicable, a certificate of the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of GEO stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such purchase, (II) GEO shall not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loans to acquire any Term Loan, (III) GEO shall disclose in writing to the assigning Lender (prior to the entering into of an Assignment and Assumption or other agreement in respect of such assignment) its identity as the purchaser of such Term Loans, and (IV) the assigning Lender and the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to the Auction Manager, if applicable, an Assignment and Assumption; (B) immediately upon the consummation of any purchase by GEO pursuant to this Section 9.04(b), all Term Loans so repurchased shall, without further action by any Person, be deemed cancelled by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans so purchased and cancelled for all purposes and no longer outstanding (and, for the avoidance of doubt, may not be resold by GEO), for all purposes of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents, including, but not limited to (I) the making of, or the application of, any payments to the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (and each principal repayment installment with respect to the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.09(a) shall be reduced pro rata by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans so purchased and cancelled), (II) the making of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (III) the determination of Required Lenders (or Required Term Lenders), or for any similar or related purpose, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (C) the purchase price paid by GEO in connection with any such purchases shall be paid only in cash. In connection with any Term Loans purchased and cancelled pursuant to this Section 9.04(b), Administrative Agent is authorized to make appropriate entries in the Register to reflect any such cancellation.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.04(c), from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be (x) entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14, Section 2.15 and Section 9.03 and (y) obligated pursuant to Section 2.17(g), in each case with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 9.04(d).

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices in New York a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by GEO or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

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(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person) or any Borrower or any of the Borrowers’ respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries) in all or a portion (provided that any such portion shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any participation in respect of a Revolving Credit Commitment or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment, or $1,000,000, in the case of any participation in respect of a Term Loan Commitment, an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or a Refinancing Term Loan Commitment) of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver which would reduce the principal of or the interest rate on any Loan or the obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse any Borrowing, extend the term or increase the amount of the applicable Commitment of such Lender, reduce the amount of any fees to which such Participant is entitled, extend any scheduled payment date for principal of any Loan or, except as expressly contemplated hereby or thereby, release substantially all of the collateral granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any such case in a manner that would affect such Participant. Subject to Section 9.04(e), the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 9.04(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.16(d) as though it were a Lender.

Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. This Section 9.04(d) shall be construed so that the Loans and other obligations hereunder are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related regulations (or any other relevant or successor provisions of the Code or such regulations), including Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.13 and Section 2.15 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with GEO’s prior written consent or to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15 unless GEO is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Sections 2.15(f) and (h) as though it were a Lender.

(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

Section 9.05 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any of the Borrowers herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or been terminated. The provisions of Section 2.13, Section 2.14, Section 2.15 and Section 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Lender Addendum.

(a) Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement (and any amendment hereto or waiver hereunder) may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), including the Lender Addenda, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement (including the Lender Addenda) and the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent, constitute the entire contract between and among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

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Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopy or in “Portable Document Format” shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

(b) Lender Addendum. Each Lender shall become a party to this Agreement by delivering to the Administrative Agent (i) a counterpart of this Agreement duly executed by such Lender or (ii) a Lender Addendum duly executed by such Lender and GEO, and, by executing this Agreement or a Lender Addendum, each such Lender agrees to be bound by the provisions hereof as a Lender hereunder.

Section 9.07 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 9.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrowers now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrowers may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or such Issuing Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (i) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.18 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders, and (ii) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender agrees to notify GEO and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

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Section 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than as expressly set forth in any such other Loan Documents) and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than as expressly set forth in any such other Loan Documents), whether in tort, contract (at law or in equity) or otherwise, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

(b) Submission to Jurisdiction. Each Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally submit, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in each case sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees 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. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Borrower or any of its respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Waiver of Venue. Each Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in Section 9.09(b). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Service of Process. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

Section 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

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Section 9.11 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

Section 9.12 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.

(a) Treatment of Certain Information. Each Borrower acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to GEO or one or more of its Subsidiaries (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more subsidiaries or affiliates of such Lender and the Borrowers hereby authorize each Lender to share any information delivered to such Lender by GEO or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Lender to enter into this Agreement, to any such subsidiary or affiliate, it being understood that any such subsidiary or affiliate receiving such information shall be bound by the provisions of Section 9.12(b) as if it were a Lender hereunder. Such authorization shall survive the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

(b) Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (B) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Loan Parties and their obligations, (vii) on a confidential basis to (A) any rating agency in connection with rating GEO and its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities established or documented under this Agreement or (B) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities established or documented under this Agreement, (viii) with the consent of GEO or (ix) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than GEO.

 

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For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries relating to the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information shall be deemed confidential unless clearly identified as “PUBLIC” at the time of delivery. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Section 9.13 USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, such Lender may be required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name, address and tax identification number of the Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with said Patriot Act. Each Borrower hereby agrees to provide and verify any such required information promptly following the written request therefor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

Section 9.14 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 9.14 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate for each day to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 9.15 Judgment Currency. This is an international loan transaction in which the specification of Dollars or any Foreign Currency, as the case may be (the “Specified Currency”), and payment in New York City or the country of the Specified Currency, as the case may be (the “Specified Place”), is of the essence, and the Specified Currency shall be the currency of account in all events relating to Loans denominated in the Specified Currency. The payment obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement shall not be discharged or satisfied by an amount paid in another currency or in another place, whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise, to the extent that the amount so paid on conversion to the Specified Currency and transfer to the Specified Place under normal banking procedures does not yield the amount of the Specified Currency at the Specified Place due hereunder. If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in the Specified Currency into another currency (the “Second Currency”), the rate of exchange that shall be applied shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the Specified Currency with the Second Currency on the Business Day next preceding the day on which such judgment is rendered.

 

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The obligation of the Borrowers in respect of any such sum due from them to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in this Section called an “Entitled Person”) shall, notwithstanding the rate of exchange actually applied in rendering such judgment, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Entitled Person of any sum adjudged to be due hereunder in the Second Currency such Entitled Person may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase and transfer to the Specified Place the Specified Currency with the amount of the Second Currency so adjudged to be due; and the Borrowers hereby, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, agree to indemnify such Entitled Person against, and to pay such Entitled Person on demand, in the Specified Currency, the amount (if any) by which the sum originally due to such Entitled Person in the Specified Currency hereunder exceeds the amount of the Specified Currency so purchased and transferred.

Section 9.16 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder that may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

Section 9.17 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Obligations or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties hereto acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

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(a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

(b) As used in this Section 9.17, the following terms have the following meanings:

(i) “BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

(ii) “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

(iii) “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

(iv) “QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D) .

Section 9.18 Prepayment Premium(i) . It is understood and agreed that the Prepayment Premium applicable at the time of a Prepayment Premium Trigger Event shall constitute part of the Obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Term Lender’s lost profits as a result thereof. Any Prepayment Premium payable under the terms of this Agreement shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Term Lender as the result of the early termination, and each Borrower agrees that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing.

 

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The Prepayment Premium (if any) shall also become due and payable under this Agreement in the event the Obligations (and/or this Agreement) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means or the Obligations are reinstated pursuant to Section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States. In the event the Prepayment Premium is determined not to be due and payable by order of any court of competent jurisdiction, including by operation any Debtor Relief Laws, despite such a triggering event having occurred, the Prepayment Premium shall nonetheless constitute Obligations under this Agreement for all purposes hereunder. EACH LOAN PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES (TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LAWFULLY DO SO) THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING PREPAYMENT PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH PREPAYMENT OR ACCELERATION. Each Borrower expressly agrees (to the fullest extent that it may lawfully do so) that: (A) the Prepayment Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the Prepayment Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then-prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between the Term Lenders and the Borrowers giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Prepayment Premium; and (D) each Borrower shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. Each Borrower expressly acknowledges that its agreement to pay the Prepayment Premium to the Term Lenders as herein described is a material inducement to the Term Lenders to provide the Term Loan Commitments and make the Term Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to calculate, or to verify any Borrower’s or any Term Lender’s calculation of, any Prepayment Premium due under this Agreement.

Section 9.19 Original Issue Discount Legend. THE TERM LOANS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE TERM LOANS MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO THE BORROWERS AT THEIR ADDRESS SPECIFIED HEREIN.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

163


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE GEO GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn March

Name:   Shayn March
Title:   Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
GEO CORRECTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Shayn March

Name:   Shayn March
Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

Credit Agreement – The GEO Group, Inc.


CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender
By:  

  

Title: Managing Director

Credit Agreement – The GEO Group, Inc.

EX-99.1 7 d764760dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

LOGO

   NEWS RELEASE

4955 Technology Way ∎ Boca Raton, Florida 33431 ∎ www.geogroup.com

CR-24-09

THE GEO GROUP CLOSES SENIOR NOTES OFFERING AND NEW TERM LOAN

Boca Raton, Fla. – April 18, 2024 –The GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) (“GEO” or the “Company”) announced today that it has closed a private offering of $1.275 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes, comprised of $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% senior secured notes due 2029 (the “Secured Notes”) and $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% senior unsecured notes due 2031 (the “Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “Notes”), exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes are guaranteed by GEO’s domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors under a new senior secured credit facility and outstanding senior notes. GEO also announced today that it has closed a new five-year $450.0 million Term Loan B (the “Term Loan”), bearing interest at SOFR plus 5.25%, under a new $760.0 million senior secured credit facility. The new senior secured credit facility also includes a five-year revolving line of credit for $310.0 million.

The offering of the Notes and the new Term Loan resulted in net proceeds of approximately $1.67 billion, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and estimated expenses payable by GEO. GEO intends to use the net proceeds of the offering of the Notes, borrowings under the new Term Loan, and cash on hand to refinance approximately $1.5 billion of existing indebtedness, including to fund the repurchase, redemption or other discharge of the Company’s existing Tranche 1 Term Loan and Tranche 2 Term Loan under its prior senior credit facility, the 9.50% senior second lien secured notes, the 10.50% senior second lien secured notes, and the 6.00% senior notes due 2026, to pay related premiums, transaction fees and expenses, and for general corporate purposes of the Company. GEO also intends to retire or settle a portion of the 6.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2026 issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., using shares of GEO common stock and cash. GEO expects to fund the cash portion of the retirement or settlement, which is expected to total up to $177.1 million, using a combination of the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes and cash on hand. Nothing in this press release should be construed as an offer to purchase, notice of redemption or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any of the existing term loans or notes.

The Notes were offered and sold in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States only to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable state laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

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Contact: Pablo E. Paez    (866) 301 4436

Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations

  


NEWS RELEASE

About The GEO Group

The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s diversified services include enhanced in-custody rehabilitation and post-release support through the award-winning GEO Continuum of Care®, secure transportation, electronic monitoring, community-based programs, and correctional health and mental health care. GEO’s worldwide operations include the ownership and/or delivery of support services for 100 facilities totaling approximately 81,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.

Use of forward-looking statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding GEO’s intended use of the net proceeds. These forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in GEO’s business and market conditions. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in GEO’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including GEO’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and GEO’s reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Commission. GEO wishes to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect GEO’s actual results and could cause GEO’s actual results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of GEO, including the risks that the repurchase, redemption or other discharge of its Tranche 1 Term Loan and Tranche 2 Term Loan under its existing senior credit facility, the 9.50% senior second lien secured notes, the 10.50% senior second lien secured notes, and the 6.00% senior notes due 2026 cannot be successfully completed, and that the retirement or settlement of a portion of the 6.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2026 issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc. cannot be successfully completed. GEO undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

- End –

 

Contact: Pablo E. Paez    (866) 301 4436

Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations