1325 J Street, 18
th
FLOOR, SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95814
GOVERNOR’S
OFFICE
OF
BUSINESS
AND
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
⬧
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM
CALIFORNIA COMPETES GRANT AGREEMENT
This California Competes Grant Agreement (“Agreement”) is by and between NVIDIA Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (“Taxpayer”), and the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (“GO-Biz”),
hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Parties” or individually as the “Party.” All capitalized terms not defined in this
Agreement shall have the same meaning as in California Revenue and Taxation Code (“RTC”) sections 17059.2 and
23689, and California Code of Regulations, title 10, section 8000 et seq., as in effect on the Effective Date of this
Agreement.
In consideration for the mutual covenants and promises in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:
1.
Effective Date.
The effective date (“Effective Date”) of this Agreement shall be the date that this Agreement is
approved by the California Competes Tax Credit Committee (“Committee”).
2.
Total Grant Award.
GO-Biz, upon approval by the Committee and conditioned upon the requirements set forth
in this Agreement, will award Taxpayer a California Competes Grant ("Grant") in the amount of twenty million
dollars ($20,000,000.00) (“Grant”).
3.
Eligibility.
Taxpayer has certified in its application that 1) it will create at least 500 new, full-time jobs in
California determined on an annual full-time equivalent basis, 2) it will make a significant infrastructure
investment related to facility construction and/or renovation of at least $10 million during the 5-year term of
the Agreement, or 3) the Project will take place in an area of High Unemployment and/or Poverty as defined in
the California Competes Tax Credit regulations. Taxpayer understands that failure to materially satisfy the
criterion used to establish eligibility for the Grant award will result in a full recapture of the grant award,
including any amounts provided in the form of an advance payment or annual allocation.
4.
Project/Milestones
. Taxpayer is a computer graphics processing unit designer and manufacturer. Taxpayer has
certified in its application that absent award of the California Competes Grant, its project may occur in another
state. In consideration for the Grant, Taxpayer agrees to hire full-time employees and invest in tenant
improvements, software licenses, and computer equipment as part of its expansion in Santa Clara and Los
Angeles, California (collectively, the “Project”). Further, Taxpayer agrees to satisfy the milestones as described
in Exhibit A (“Milestones”). In addition, Taxpayer must maintain the three (3) employee-based Milestones
(“Total California Full-Time Employees,” “Minimum Annual Wage of California Full-Time Employees Hired,” and
“Cumulative Average Annual Wage of California Full-Time Employees Hired”) for a minimum of three (3) taxable
years thereafter. In the event Taxpayer employs more than the number of full-time employees, determined on
an annual full-time equivalent basis, than required in Exhibit A, for purposes of satisfying the “Minimum Annual
Wage of California Full-time Employees Hired” and the “Cumulative Average Annual Wage of California Full-time
Employees Hired,” Taxpayer may use the wages of any of the full-time employees hired within the required time
period. For purposes of calculating the “Minimum Annual Wage of California Full-time Employees Hired” and
the “Cumulative Average Annual Wage of California Full-time Employees Hired,” the wage of any full-time
employee that is not employed by Taxpayer for the entire taxable year shall be annualized. In addition, the
wage of any full-time employee hired to fill a vacated position in which a full-time employee was employed
during Taxpayer’s Base Year shall be disregarded.
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5.
Grant.
The Grant awarded in section 2 of this Agreement may be allocated to Taxpayer either in advance or by
taxable year as set forth in Exhibit A, provided that Taxpayer achieves the Milestones associated with the
applicable taxable year, which includes all investments agreed to in the prior years, as set forth in Exhibit A. If
the entire Grant amount is awarded in advance before achievement of the Milestones, then Taxpayer
acknowledges and agrees that after the conclusion of the 5-year term of the Agreement, Taxpayer will return
any Grant amounts set forth in Exhibit A that were not earned because of a failure to achieve the Milestones
associated with the applicable taxable year(s). Taxpayer acknowledges and agrees that an allocated portion of
the Grant is earned by Taxpayer in the taxable year when the Milestones associated with that allocated portion
of the Grant are achieved and to avoid recapture, Taxpayer must maintain the three (3) employee-based
Milestones for three (3) subsequent taxable years. All required Milestones identified on a taxable year basis in
Exhibit A, must be met in order to earn the allocated portion of the Grant. In the event Taxpayer satisfies the
taxable year Milestones in an earlier taxable year than described in Exhibit A (no earlier than taxable year 2021),
upon written approval from GO-Biz, Taxpayer may receive the allocated portion of the Grant in the earlier
taxable year when the Milestones are achieved. If Taxpayer satisfied certain taxable year Milestones in an
earlier taxable year than described in Exhibit A (no earlier than taxable year 2021) and GO-Biz provided written
permission to receive the Grant allocation in the earlier taxable year, then Taxpayer need only maintain the
three (3) employee-based Milestones for three (3) subsequent taxable years to avoid recapture as further
described in Section 11. In the event that Taxpayer fails to satisfy each Milestone identified in Exhibit A in the
taxable year associated with those Milestones including all Investments agreed to in the prior years, no portion
of the Grant will be considered earned in that taxable year, but GO-Biz will not unreasonably deny a portion of
the Grant to Taxpayer for immaterial variances from the Milestones. In determining whether Taxpayer satisfies
each Investment Milestone, Taxpayer may include the aggregate amount of Investment made in prior taxable
years (beginning with taxable year 2021) that was in excess of the cumulative Investment Milestones for such
taxable years. Any allocated portion of the Grant associated with a specific taxable year in Exhibit A, which is
not earned in that year due to failure to achieve the Milestones associated with that taxable year will be earned
in the taxable year in which the Milestones are met, but in no event later than the last taxable year identified in
Exhibit A.
6.
Taxpayer – Representations and Warranties.
Taxpayer represents and warrants that:
(a)
Taxpayer is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California, has, or will have
the requisite power, authority, licenses, permits, and the like necessary to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted and as contemplated in this Agreement, and will, at all times, lawfully conduct its business
in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and rules.
(b)
Taxpayer is not a party to any agreement, written or oral, creating obligations that would prevent Taxpayer
from entering into this Agreement or satisfying the terms herein.
(c)
All the information in the Application and all materials submitted to GO-Biz are true and accurate.
(d)
Taxpayer authorizes the California Franchise Tax Board (“FTB”) and GO-Biz to do all of the following:
i.
To provide and receive information and documents as requested for the purpose of proper
determination and administration of the Grant allocated to Taxpayer, including determination of the
amount of any recapture of the Grant.
ii.
To discuss relevant issues pertaining to proper determination and administration of the Grant
allocated to Taxpayer, including determination of the amount of any recapture of the Grant.
(e)
Taxpayer has read the applicable RTC sections 17059.2 and 23689 and California Code of Regulations, title
10, section 8000 et seq. and acknowledges and agrees that such sections are hereby incorporated by
reference into this Agreement.
(f)
None of the Investment identified in Exhibit A will be purchased or leased from a person or entity that is
treated as related to Taxpayer under section 267, 318, or 707 of the Internal Revenue Code or from any
member of a “controlled group of corporations” (as defined in RTC section 23626) in which Taxpayer is a
member.
(g)
None of the Investment identified in Exhibit A will be due to Taxpayer’s acquisition of, or merger with,
another business or due to a conversion from a purchase to a lease or vice versa of real or personal property
Taxpayer already controls or has acquired.
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(h)
None of the net increase of full-time employees identified in Exhibit A will be due to Taxpayer’s acquisition
of, or merger with, another business unless the net increase of California full-time employees attributable to
that business are above the number of California full-time employees employed by the business at the time
of acquisition or merger. In addition, if Taxpayer acquires or merges with a business located outside of
California, and subsequently moves any or all of acquired or merged with business’s employees to California
on a full-time basis, such employees shall count towards the net increase of full-time employees identified in
Exhibit A, including existing employees at the time of acquisition or merger and any subsequently hired full-
time employees.
(i)
None of the net increase of full-time employees identified in Exhibit A will be due to a transfer of employees
from a person or entity that is treated as related to Taxpayer under section 267, 318, or 707 of the Internal
Revenue Code or from any member of a “controlled group of corporations” (as defined in RTC section
23626) in which Taxpayer is a member, unless the transfer is of an employee employed outside of California
by a related person or entity and the employee is transferred to California on a full-time basis.
(j)
None of the net increase of full-time employees identified in Exhibit A will be due to employment of any
employees that were previously employed by a person or entity that is treated as related to Taxpayer under
section 267, 318, or 707 of the Internal Revenue Code or by any member of a “controlled group of
corporations” (as defined in RTC section 23626) in which Taxpayer is a member, unless the employment is of
an employee that was employed outside of California by a related person or entity.
7.
Reporting Requirements/Invoicing
. On or before the first day of the fourth month after the close of each
taxable year as referenced in Exhibit A, Taxpayer shall complete a worksheet provided by GO-Biz to verify
successful achievement of the applicable Milestones for the prior taxable year. If Taxpayer successfully achieved
the Milestones for the prior taxable year, Taxpayer shall notify GO-Biz on or before the first day of the fourth
month after the close of each taxable year and retain the worksheet pursuant to section 16 and only submit the
worksheet to GO-Biz or the FTB upon request. If Taxpayer did not achieve the applicable Milestones for the
prior taxable year, Taxpayer shall submit to GO-Biz the worksheet and a written description of any issues or
challenges in achieving the Milestones and any corrective actions being taken or anticipated to be taken in
subsequent years. Such submission shall be due to GO-Biz by the first day of the fourth month after the close of
each taxable year as referenced in Exhibit A. For Grant Recipients that have not received the grant award in
advance and have successfully
achieved the Milestones for a particular taxable year, the Grant Recipient
upon
receiving notification from GO-Biz regarding successful achievement of the applicable Milestones for a particular
taxable year, Taxpayer shall complete and furnish to GO-Biz any forms as requested by GO-Biz to meet State
requirements for issuing payment
.
Taxpayer shall complete a worksheet provided by GO-Biz to verify successful
maintenance of the applicable Milestones for three years subsequent to the final tax year in which Milestones
were previously achieved. If Taxpayer successfully maintained the applicable Milestones for a prior taxable year,
Taxpayer shall notify GO-Biz on or before the first day of the fourth month after the close of each taxable year
and retain the worksheet pursuant to section 16 and submit the worksheet to GO-Biz or the FTB upon request.
If Taxpayer did not maintain the applicable Milestones for the prior taxable year, Taxpayer shall notify GO-Biz
and submit to GO-Biz the worksheet for its review to determine whether any grant allocation requires
recapture.
8.
Franchise Tax Board Review.
(a)
In addition to the reporting requirements in section 6, Taxpayer agrees to comply with the FTB’s review of
the books and records for purposes of determining if Taxpayer has complied with the requirements of this
Agreement.
(b)
Taxpayer acknowledges that the FTB shall review the books and records of all taxpayers allocated a Grant
pursuant to this Agreement to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
agrees to cooperate with the FTB in such a review. The guidelines and procedures for these reviews are
outlined in the FTB’s Notice #2014-2 dated November 7, 2014.
(c)
These reviews will not constitute an audit of the tax return under Part 10.2 (commencing with section
18401) of the RTC and the regulations thereunder, and will not preclude the FTB from auditing any issue in
any taxable year, including a taxable year included in the term of this Agreement.
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(d)
If during the review of the books and records, the FTB determines there is a potential material breach of this
Agreement by Taxpayer, and notwithstanding RTC section 19542, the FTB shall notify GO-Biz and provide, in
writing, detailed information regarding the basis for that determination.
9.
Transfer
. In order to transfer this Agreement as a result of a sale or merger, prior written consent of GO-Biz
must be obtained or the transfer will be void. Such transfer shall be permitted if GO-Biz determines that the
transfer would further the purposes of the California Competes program and benefit California. Prior to GO-Biz
consenting to the transfer, the new entity must disclose to GO-Biz the number of California full-time employees
it employed at the time of acquisition or merger and any other information GO-Biz requests that applicants for a
California Competes Grant provide pursuant to a California Competes Grant application.
10.
Material Breach
. A material breach for purposes of this Agreement shall include, but not be limited to:
(a)
Failure to timely furnish the documents described in Section 7 or the information requested by GO-Biz or
the FTB relating to Taxpayer’s compliance with this Agreement.
(b)
Material misstatements in any information provided to GO-Biz as part of the application process and/or
after this Agreement is signed.
(c)
Failure to materially satisfy applicable Milestones as set forth in Exhibit A, materiality of which shall be
determined by GO-Biz, by the end of the last taxable year identified in Exhibit A.
(d)
Failure to maintain any of the three (3) employee-based Milestones for a minimum of three (3) subsequent
taxable years after achieving the Milestone(s).
(e)
Failure to materially satisfy the eligibility requirements (set forth at Section 3 of this Agreement) that formed
the basis for Taxpayer’s eligibility for the Grant.
11.
Recapture
. In the event of a material breach of the requirements of this Agreement, GO-Biz will notify Taxpayer
in writing of the breach and provide Taxpayer with the opportunity to cure the breach within thirty (30) calendar
days or such longer period as mutually agreed to in writing between the Parties. If Taxpayer fails to cure the
breach within the prescribed timeframe, GO-Biz will notify Taxpayer of the failure, the amount of the Allocation
that it will recommend to the Committee to be recaptured, and may recommend termination of this Agreement
to the Committee. If the material breach is solely the failure of Taxpayer to satisfy Milestones with respect to an
Allocation for a particular taxable year, then the recapture will be limited to that particular taxable year’s
Allocation and in no event shall a recapture under this Agreement include any Allocation or Allocations that
Taxpayer had previously earned provided that Taxpayer satisfies its obligation to maintain the three (3)
employee-based Milestones for three (3) subsequent taxable years. Upon receipt of recommendations from
GO-Biz, the Committee will determine whether to accept or reject GO-Biz’s recommendation of recapture, the
amount thereof, and the termination of this Agreement, based on Taxpayer’s failure to fulfill the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. Upon approval of the Committee to recapture some or all of the Allocation
awarded for failure of Taxpayer to fulfill the terms of this Agreement, GO-Biz will notify the FTB in writing as
required under the applicable statutes and regulations.
12.
Public Records.
Taxpayer acknowledges that GO-Biz is subject to the California Public Records Act (PRA) (Gov.
Code, § 6250 et seq.). This Agreement and materials submitted by Taxpayer to GO-Biz may be subject to a PRA
request. In such an event, GO-Biz will notify Taxpayer, as soon as practicable that a PRA request for Taxpayer’s
information has been received, but not less than five (5) business days prior to the release of the requested
information to allow Taxpayer to seek an injunction. GO-Biz will work in good faith with Taxpayer to protect the
information to the extent an exemption is provided by law, including, but not limited to, notes, drafts,
proprietary information, financial information, and trade secret information. GO-Biz will also apply the
“balancing test” as provided for under Government Code section 6255, to the extent applicable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, GO-Biz agrees that any information provided to GO-Biz by the FTB, in connection
with this Agreement will be treated as confidential tax information protected by Article 2 (commencing with
Section 19542) of Chapter 7 of Part 10.2 of the RTC, assuming that FTB can rely on such a section and shall not
be disclosed to any party, other than personnel of GO-Biz or the Committee, without Taxpayer’s prior written
consent. Taxpayer acknowledges that this Agreement in whole or in part will be made available to the public at
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least ten (10) calendar days prior to the Committee hearing. Pursuant to RTC sections 17059.2 and 23689, in the
event of approval by the Committee of this Agreement, Taxpayer acknowledges and agrees that GO-Biz will post
on its website the following information:
(a)
The name of each taxpayer allocated a Grant;
(b)
The estimated amount of the Investment by each taxpayer;
(c)
The estimated number of jobs created or retained;
(d)
The amount of the Grant awarded to each taxpayer; and,
(e)
The portion of the Grant recaptured from each taxpayer, if applicable.
13.
Media Release
. Taxpayer may elect to issue a press release related to this Agreement, but any release shall be
approved by GO-Biz in writing prior to such release. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
14.
Indemnification/Warranty and Disclaimer/Limitation of Liability
. Taxpayer shall defend, indemnify, and hold
GO-Biz and the FTB, its agents or assigns, harmless from and against all claims, damages, and liabilities (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from this Agreement due to Taxpayer’s breach of this Agreement, or the
result of Taxpayer’s negligence or willful misconduct. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, GO-BIZ, ITS AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES, THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THE FTB OR ANYONE ELSE
INVOLVED IN THIS AGREEMENT BE LIABLE TO TAXPAYER FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT ARISE FROM THIS AGREEMENT.
15.
Integration.
This Agreement (including the exhibits hereto and any written amendments hereof executed by
the Parties) constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties related to this Grant and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, oral and written, between the Parties with respect to this Grant described
herein.
16.
Record Retention
. Taxpayer shall retain a copy of this Agreement, any exhibits related to this Agreement and
any other documents that support the achievement of the milestones in connection with Taxpayer’s Application
and Grant for a period of no less than four (4) years from the end of the last taxable year identified in Exhibit A.
17.
Notice
. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Agreement, Taxpayer shall notify GO-Biz, in writing,
of the name, address, phone number, and email of its contact person for future communication relating to this
Agreement. In addition, Taxpayer agrees to immediately inform GO-Biz of any changes to the name, address,
phone number, and email of its contact person. Any notices required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement to GO-Biz shall be emailed to
CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov
.
18.
Modification
. This Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing and signed by all parties. Any
modifications to this Agreement that do not alter the amount of the Investment, the net increase in full-time
employees, or the minimum and average wages will not require Committee approval. If Committee approval is
necessary, the modification of this Agreement will not be valid until the amendment is approved by the
Committee.
19.
Time of the Essence.
Time is of the essence in respect to all provisions of this Agreement that specify a time for
performance; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to limit or deprive a Party of the
benefits of any cure period allowed in this Agreement.
20.
Ambiguities
. Each Party has had the opportunity to seek the advice of counsel or has refused to seek the advice
of counsel. Each Party and its counsel, if appropriate, have participated fully in the negotiation, drafting, review,
and revision of this Agreement. Any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against
the drafting Party shall not apply in interpreting this Agreement. The language in this Agreement shall be
interpreted as to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against any Party.
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21.
Necessary Acts, Further Assurances
. The Parties shall at their own cost and expense execute and deliver any
further documents and shall take such other actions as may be reasonably required or appropriate to carry out
the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
22.
Sections and Other Headings
. The section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
23.
Consultants’ and Attorneys’ Fees
. Each of the Parties shall be responsible for, and pay in their entirety, its
respective fees, costs, and expenses in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement and any audit that
may be conducted as a result of the transaction contemplated herein. Notwithstanding RTC section 19717,
under no circumstances is any Party to this Agreement entitled to attorneys’ fees with regard to litigation
resulting from this Agreement.
24.
Representation on Authority of Parties/Signatories
. Each person signing this Agreement represents and
warrants that he or she is duly authorized and has legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement. Each
Party represents and warrants to the other that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
performance of such Party’s obligations hereunder have been duly authorized and that this Agreement is a valid
and legal agreement binding on such Party and enforceable in accordance with its terms.
25.
Severability.
If any term of this Agreement is to any extent invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, such
term shall be excluded to the extent of such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability; all other terms hereof shall
remain in full force and effect.
26.
Approval
. This Agreement shall not be binding until it has been approved by the Committee during a duly
noticed Committee meeting.
27.
Execution
. This Agreement may be executed in parts, by fax, or other similar electronic means.
28.
Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction
. This Agreement will be governed, construed, and enforced
according to the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Each party hereby
irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any state court located within Sacramento
County, State of California in connection with any matter arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated under this Agreement.
29.
Force Majeure
.
A Party may not be considered to be in default or breach of this Agreement, and may be
excused from performance, if and to the extent it shall be delayed in or prevented from performing or carrying
out any of the provisions of this Agreement, arising out of or from any act, omission, or circumstance by or in
consequence of any act of nature, sabotage, riot, fire, storm, flood, ice, earthquake, epidemic, or any other
cause or causes beyond such Party’s reasonable control, or by making of repairs necessitated by an emergency
circumstance not limited to those listed above upon the property or equipment of the Party or property or
equipment of others which is deemed under the operational control of the Party. A Force Majeure event does
not include an act of negligence or intentional wrongdoing by a Party. Any Party claiming a Force Majeure event
shall use reasonable diligence to remove the condition that prevents performance and shall not be entitled to
suspend performance of its obligations in any greater scope or for any longer duration than is required by the
Force Majeure event. Each Party shall use its best efforts to mitigate the effects of such Force Majeure event,
remedy its inability to perform, and resume full performance of its obligations hereunder.
Remainder of the page is intentionally left blank. Signature page immediately follows.
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Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
By:
Name: Scott Dosick
Title: Deputy Director
Date:
TAXPAYER
NVIDIA Corporation
By:
Name:
Title:
Date:
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March 29, 2022 | 15:44 PDT
Vice President of Finance
Karen Burns
April 1, 2022 | 10:32 PDT
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Exhibit A
Milestones
Taxpayer: NVIDIA Corporation
2020 Tax
Year
(Base)
2021 Tax
Year
2022 Tax Year
2023 Tax Year
2024 Tax Year
2025 Tax Year
Total
Total California
Full-Time
Employees
1
6,232
6,704
7,030
7,386
7,776
8,150
Net Increase of
Full-Time
Employees
Compared to
the Base Year
472
798
1,154
1,544
1,918
Minimum
Annual Wage
of California
Full-Time
Employees
Hired
$50,000
$50,000
$50,000
$50,000
$50,000
Cumulative
Average
Annual Wage
of California
Full-Time
Employees
Hired
$150,000
$150,000
$150,000
$150,000
$150,000
Investments
$0
$100,000,000 $100,000,000
$100,000,000 $100,000,000
$400,000,000
Grant
Allocation
$0
$5,000,000
$5,000,000
$5,000,000
$5,000,000
$20,000,000
1
Determined on an annual full-time equivalent basis
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