Sample Business Contracts


Employment Agreement - Onvia.com Inc. and Jim Bridges

Employment Forms

  • Employers can customize an employment agreement that states the salary, benefits, working hours and other important provisions for their new or existing employee.
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  • Companies may offer their business executives a contract that is different from the one provided to their regular employees. Executive employment agreements may be more complex because the compensation structure may include a combination of salary and commissions, provide for bonuses based on sales, stock or other financial targets, and include non-compete, confidentiality and severance provisions.
  • Independent sales representatives offer companies the potential to increase the sale of products or services without the burden of increasing headcount. Both parties should understand how commissions are calculated, when commissions will be paid, as well as how the representative will treat confidential information from the company and whether the representative may also sell a competing line of products or services.
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                               October 14, 1999

Jim Bridges
17034 NE 133/rd/ Street
Redmond, WA  98052

Dear Jim:

     On behalf of Onvia.com, Inc., a Washington Corporation (the "Company"), I
                                                                  -------
am pleased to offer you the position of Director of Customer Service & Sales of
the Company.  Speaking for myself, as well as the other members of the Company's
management team, we are all very impressed with your credentials and we look
forward to your future success in this position.

     The terms of your new position with the Company are as set forth below:

     1.   Position.
          --------

          a.   You will become a Director of Customer Service & Sales of the
Company, working out of the Company's headquarters office in Seattle,
Washington.  You will report to the Company's VP of Marketing.

          b.   You agree to the best of your ability and experience that you
will at all times loyally and conscientiously perform all of the duties and
obligations required of and from you pursuant to the express and implicit terms
hereof, and to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company. During the term of
your employment, you further agree that you will devote all of your business
time and attention to the business of the Company, the Company will be entitled
to all of the benefits and profits arising from or incident to all such work
services and advice, you will not render commercial or professional services of
any nature to any person or organization, whether or not for compensation,
without the prior written consent of the Company's board of directors, and you
will not directly or indirectly engage or participate in any business that is
competitive in any manner with the business of the Company. Nothing in this
letter agreement will prevent you from accepting speaking or presentation
engagements in exchange for honoraria, or from serving on boards of charitable
organizations, or from owning no more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding
equity securities of a corporation whose stock is listed on a national stock
exchange.

     2.   Start Date.  Subject to fulfillment of any conditions imposed by this
          ----------
letter agreement, you will commence this new position with the Company on
November 1, 1999.

     3.   Proof of Right to Work.  For purposes of federal immigration law, you
          ----------------------
will be required to provide to the Company documentary evidence of your identity
and eligibility for employment in the United States.  Such documentation must be
provided to us within three (3) business days of your date of hire, or our
employment relationship with you may be terminated.
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October 14, 1999
Page 2

     4.   Compensation.
          ------------

          a.   Base Salary.  You will be paid a monthly salary of $8,325.00,
               -----------
which is equivalent to $99,900 on an annualized basis. Your salary will be
payable in two equal payments per month pursuant to the Company's regular
payroll policy (or in the same manner as other employees of the Company).

          b.   Bonus. You will be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus
               -----
of up to 15% of your annual salary with a guarantee of 5%. This bonus will be
based upon the achievement of mutually agreed upon goals that will be set during
your first month with the Company.

          c.   Parking. Your monthly parking will be paid for by Onvia.com.
               -------

           d.  Annual Review.  Your base salary will be reviewed at the end of
               -------------
     each calendar year as part of the Company's normal salary review process.


     5.   Stock Options.
          -------------

          a.   Initial Grant.  In connection with the commencement of your
               -------------
employment, the Company will recommend that the Company's board of directors
grant you an option to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
("Shares") with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of
  ------
the grant. These option shares will vest monthly over a 4-year period (with a
12-month cliff). Vesting will, of course, depend on your continued employment
with the Company. The option will be an incentive stock option to the maximum
extent allowed by the tax code and will be subject to the terms of the Company's
1999 Plan and the Stock Option Agreement between you and the Company.

          b.   Subsequent Option Grants.  Subject to the discretion of the
               ------------------------
Company's Board of Directors, you may be eligible to receive additional grants
of stock options or purchase rights from time to time in the future, on such
terms and subject to such conditions as the Company's board of directors shall
determine as of the date of any such grant.

     6.   Benefits.
          --------

          a.   Insurance Benefits. The Company will provide you with standard
               ------------------
medical and dental insurance benefits commencing after the Initial Three Month
Period.  During the Initial Three Month Period, the Company may agree to pay
expenses associated with your current health benefits plan.

          b.   Vacation.  You will be entitled to two (2) weeks paid vacation
               --------
per year, pro-rated for the remainder of this calendar year.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

October 14, 1999
Page 3

     7.   Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement.  Your
          -----------------------------------------------------------
acceptance of this offer and commencement of employment with the Company is
contingent upon the execution, and delivery to an officer of the Company, of the
Company's Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, a copy of
which is enclosed for your review and execution (the "Confidentiality
                                                      ---------------
Agreement"), prior to or on your Start Date.
---------

     8.   Confidentiality of Terms.  You agree to follow the Company's strict
          ------------------------
policy that employees must not disclose, either directly or indirectly, any
information, including any of the terms of this agreement, regarding salary,
bonuses, or stock purchase or option allocations to any person, including other
employees of the Company; provided, however, that you may discuss such terms
with members of your immediate family and any legal, tax or accounting
specialists who provide you with individual legal, tax or accounting advice.

     9.   At-Will Employment.  Your employment with the Company will be on an
          ------------------
"at will" basis, meaning that either you or the Company may terminate your
employment at any time for any reason or no reason, without further obligation
or liability.

     We are all delighted to be able to extend you this offer and look forward
to working with you.  To indicate your acceptance of the Company's offer, please
sign and date this letter in the space provided below and return it to me, along
with a signed and dated copy of the Confidentiality Agreement. This letter,
together with the Confidentiality Agreement, set forth the terms of your
employment with the Company and supersede any prior representations or
agreements, whether written or oral.  This letter may not be modified or amended
except by a written agreement, signed by the Company and by you.



                                           Very truly yours,

                                           ONVIA.COM, INC.,
                                           a Washington corporation


                                           By: /s/
                                               ---------------------------

                                           Title:_________________________

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:


JIM BRIDGES

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

October 14, 1999
Page 4

/s/ Jim Bridges
--------------------------------
Signature

--------------------------------
Date

Enclosure:  Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement

                                      -4-

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