0210140
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
- COMMISSIONERS:
-
Timothy J. Muris, Chairman
-
Sheila F. Anthony
-
Mozelle W. Thompson
- Orson
Swindle
-
Thomas B. Leary
In the Matter of
QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INCORPORATED,
a corporation; and
UNILAB CORPORATION, ) a corporation. |
Docket No. C- |
DECISION AND ORDER
[Public Record Version]
The Federal Trade Commission
("Commission"), having initiated an investigation of the proposed
acquisition by Respondent Quest Diagnostics Incorporated ("Quest
Diagnostics") of Respondent Unilab Corporation ("Unilab"), hereinafter
referred to as "Respondents," and Respondents
having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of Complaint that
the Bureau of Competition proposed to present to the Commission for its
consideration and which, if issued by the Commission, would charge
Respondents with violations of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended,
15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as
amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45; and
Respondents, their attorneys, and counsel
for the Commission having thereafter executed an Agreement Containing
Consent Orders ("Consent Agreement"), containing an admission by
Respondents of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid
draft of Complaint, a statement that the signing of said Consent Agreement
is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by
Respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in such Complaint,
or that the facts as alleged in such Complaint, other than jurisdictional
facts, are true, and waivers and other provisions as required by the
Commission's Rules; and
The Commission having thereafter
considered the matter and having determined that it had reason to believe
that Respondents have violated the said Acts, and that a Complaint should
issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon issued its
Complaint and an Order to Maintain Assets, and having accepted the
executed Consent Agreement and placed such Consent Agreement on the public
record for a period of thirty (30) days for the receipt and consideration
of public comments, now in further conformity with the procedure described
in Commission Rule 2.34, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34, the Commission hereby makes the
following jurisdictional findings and issues the following Decision and
Order ("Order"):
- 1. Respondent Quest Diagnostics is a
corporation organized, existing, and doing business under and by virtue
of the laws of the State of Delaware, with its office and principal
place of business located at One Malcolm Avenue, Teterboro, New Jersey,
07608.
-
- 2. Respondent Unilab is a corporation
organized, existing, and doing business under and by virtue of the laws
of the State of Delaware, with its office and principal place of
business located at 18448 Oxnard Street, Tarzana, California, 91356.
-
- 3. The Federal Trade Commission has
jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of
Respondents, and the proceeding is in the public interest.
ORDER
I.
IT IS ORDERED that, as
used in this Order, the following definitions shall apply:
- A. "Quest
Diagnostics" means Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, its directors,
officers, employees, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors,
and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups and
affiliates controlled by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, and the
respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives,
successors, and assigns of each.
B. "Unilab" means Unilab Corporation, its
directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, predecessors,
successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions,
groups and affiliates controlled by Unilab Corporation, and the
respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives,
successors, and assigns of each.
-
- C.
"Acquisition" means the exchange offer contemplated by Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated April 2, 2002, and all amendments thereto, whereby
Quest Diagnostics agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding
voting securities of Unilab in exchange for cash, stock of Quest
Diagnostics, or a combination of cash and stock of Quest Diagnostics.
D. "Acquisition Date" means the date the
Acquisition is consummated.
E. "Agency(ies)" means any governmental
regulatory authority or authorities in the United States responsible for
granting approval(s), clearance(s), qualification(s), license(s), or
permit(s) for any aspect of the research, development, manufacture,
marketing, distribution, or sale of Clinical Laboratory Testing
Services.
F. "Clinical Laboratory Testing Services"
means the full range of products and services provided by a clinical
laboratory, including, but not limited to, the drawing, collection, and
transportation of specimens over a coordinated courier route system;
stat, routine, and esoteric clinical testing; the computerized tracking
of specimens for testing, record-keeping, and billing functions; and the
electronic communication of test results and other necessary data to
Customers.
-
- G. "Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Managerial Employees" means the current
senior managers of Respondent Quest Diagnostics, identified in
non-public Appendix A, attached to this Order.
-
- H. "Closing
Date" means the date on which Respondents and the Commission-approved
Acquirer consummate the transactions contemplated by the Divestiture
Agreement.
-
- I.
"Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.
J. "Commission-approved Acquirer" means the
Person approved by the Commission to acquire assets pursuant to this
Order, including LabCorp as the acquirer of the Purchased Assets
pursuant to the LabCorp Purchase Agreement, if the Commission does not
require that, pursuant to Paragraphs II.C. or II.D. of this Order,
Respondents rescind the divestiture and transfer of the Purchased
Assets.
K. "Confidential Business Information" means
all customer-specific pricing information, customer-specific discounts,
and customer-specific supply or service requirements or preferences
relating to the provision of Clinical Laboratory Testing Services by
Quest Diagnostics in Northern California prior to the Acquisition Date
(or the Closing Date as applicable if either the Outpatient Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern
California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets are divested).
L. "Customer" means any Person who orders or
refers Clinical Laboratory Testing Services.
-
- M.
"Divestiture Agreement" means any agreement between Respondents and a
Commission-approved Acquirer (or between Divestiture Trustee and a
Commission-approved Acquirer), as well as all amendments, exhibits,
attachments, agreements, and schedules thereto, related to the
divestiture of the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern
California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested)
that has been approved by the Commission to accomplish the requirements
of this Order.
N. "Divestiture Trustee" means the trustee
appointed by the Commission pursuant to Paragraph IV. of this Order.
-
- O. "Firewalled
Employees" means all employees of Respondents that remain in the
employment of Respondents after the Acquisition Date who, after the
Acquisition Date, directly participate (irrespective of the portion of
working time involved) in the marketing, contracting, or sales of
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services to Customers or Payers in Northern
California.
-
- P. "LabCorp"
means Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, a corporation
organized, existing, and doing business under and by virtue of the laws
of the State of Delaware, with its offices and principal place of
business located at 358 South Main Street, Burlington, North Carolina
27215.
Q. "LabCorp Purchase Agreement" means the
Asset Purchase Agreement entered into between Quest Diagnostics Clinical
Laboratories, Inc. and Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, as
well as all amendments, exhibits, attachments, agreements, and schedules
thereto, dated February 3, 2003. The LabCorp Purchase Agreement is
attached to this Order as non-public Appendix B.
R. "Northern California" means all counties in
California north of, but not including, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San
Bernardino counties.
-
- S.
"Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets" means the
following:
-
- 1. at the
option of the Commission-approved Acquirer, any or all of Quest
Diagnostics' assets, tangible and intangible, relating to Quest
Diagnostics' Northern California Outpatient Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Business, including, without limitation, the
following:
-
-
-
-
- a. all
PSCs, Stat Labs, and the full-service clinical laboratory located in
Dublin, California, and all related assets, including, without
limitation, all:
-
-
-
-
-
- (1)
real property interests (including fee simple interests and real
property leasehold interests), together with all buildings and
other structures, facilities, or improvements, currently or
hereafter located thereon;
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (2)
easements, rights, and appurtenances;
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (3) to
the extent assignable, licenses, permits, registrations,
certificates, consents, orders, accreditations, certificates of
need, approvals, franchises, and similar authorizations required
under applicable law or by applicable Agencies for the operation
of the PSCs, Stat Labs, and the full-service clinical laboratory
as currently operated by Quest Diagnostics;
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (4)
equipment and instruments related to providing Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services; and
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (5)
other equipment, supplies, furniture, fixtures, vehicles, and
other tangible personal property;
-
-
- b. all
assets relating to the provision of courier services;
-
-
-
-
- c. all
agreements with Payers (except hospital clinical laboratories and
independent clinical laboratories) in effect as of the Acquisition
Date, and all rights related thereto, to the extent such agreements
are assignable;
-
-
-
-
- d. a
copy of all books, records, and files (electronic and hard-copy)
related to the foregoing; and
-
-
-
- 2. at the
option of the Commission-approved Acquirer, the Managed Care
Laboratory Services Agreement between Unilab and Sutter Medical
Foundation-North Bay, dated November 1, 2002, and all of Unilab's
assets, tangible and intangible, relating to that agreement,
including, without limitation, the following:
-
-
-
-
- a. all
PSCs and Stat Labs relating to that agreement located in Sonoma
County, California; and all related assets, including, without
limitation, all:
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (1)
real property interests (including fee simple interests and real
property leasehold interests), together with all buildings and
other structures, facilities, or improvements, currently or
hereafter located thereon;
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (2)
easements, rights, and appurtenances;
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (3) to
the extent assignable, licenses, permits, registrations,
certificates, consents, orders, accreditations, certificates of
need, approvals, franchises, and similar authorizations required
under applicable law or by applicable Agencies for the operation
of such PSCs and Stat Labs;
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (4)
equipment and instruments related to providing Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services; and
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (5)
other equipment, supplies, furniture, fixtures, vehicles, and
other tangible personal property;
-
-
-
-
-
- provided, however,
that, for purposes of this subparagraph I.S.2.a. only, "Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets" does not include any
PSCs or Stat Labs located outside of Sonoma County, California;
-
-
-
-
- b. all assets relating
to the provision of courier services to such PSCs and Stat Labs; and
-
-
-
-
-
- c. a copy of all books,
records, and files (electronic and hard-copy) related to the
foregoing.
"Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services
Assets" does not include:
-
-
-
-
- a. rights to the name Quest Diagnostics,
SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Unilab, or any variations
of the foregoing names;
-
-
-
-
-
- b. any tangible personal property located outside
of Northern California or in the offices of Customers;
-
-
-
-
-
- c. Respondents' Medicare and Medicaid licenses
and provider agreements;
-
-
-
-
-
- d. the Nichols Institute;
-
-
-
-
-
- e. any computers, servers,
or other hardware that are used throughout Quest Diagnostics; and
-
-
-
-
-
- f. any computer programs and other software,
patents, trade secrets, know-how, or proprietary information owned
or licensed by the Respondents or their affiliates, including
without limitation Quest Diagnostics' laboratory information systems
and billing system; provided, however, that Respondents
shall convey to the Commission-approved Acquirer (to the extent
permitted by the third-party licensee if Respondents license the
computer programs and other software, patents, trade secrets,
know-how, or proprietary information from a third party) the right
to use any software, patents, trade secrets, know-how, or
proprietary information that is needed to operate the assets
divested to the Commission-approved Acquirer and that the
Commission-approved Acquirer is unable, using
commercially-reasonable efforts, to obtain from other third parties
on commercially-reasonable terms and conditions.
-
Provided, however,
that, with respect to assets that are to be divested pursuant to this
Order, Respondents need not divest assets that the Commission-approved
Acquirer chooses not to acquire only if the acquirer chooses not to
acquire such assets and the Commission approves the divestiture
without such assets.
-
- T. "PSC" means a patient
service center or any other facility where specimens are drawn and
collected for the purpose of providing Clinical Laboratory Testing
Services.
U. "Payer" means any Person that pays for
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services including, without limitation, the
following: (1) the Customer; (2) the patient; (3) Medicare or Medicaid;
or (4) a third party who pays the bill on behalf of the patient, such as
an insurance company, employer, or managed-care provider, including
Physician Groups.
V. "Person" means any natural person,
partnership, association, or corporate or governmental organization or
entity.
W. "Physician Group" means any group medical
practice, individual practice association, physician service
organization, management service organization, medical foundation, or
physician/hospital organization, that provides, or through which
physicians contract to provide, physician services to enrollees of
pre-paid health plans.
X. "Purchased Assets" means the assets
described in the LabCorp Purchase Agreement.
Y. "Quest Diagnostics Firewalled Employees"
means the employees of Respondent Quest Diagnostics who, at the time
Respondents executed the Agreement Containing Consent Orders, directly
participated (irrespective of the portion of working time involved) in
the marketing, contracting, or sales of Clinical Laboratory Testing
Services to Customers or Payers in Northern California and who have not
been or who are not being offered employment by LabCorp pursuant to the
LabCorp Purchase Agreement and who, after the Acquisition Date, will
directly participate (irrespective of the portion of working time
involved) in the marketing, contracting, or sales of Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services to Customers or Payers in Northern California.
Z. "Quest Diagnostics' Northern California
Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Business" means Quest
Diagnostics' business of providing Clinical Laboratory Testing Services
(regardless of type of Payer) in Northern California to Customers, other
than hospital clinical laboratories and independent clinical
laboratories, as that business existed prior to the Acquisition Date.
AA. "Quest Diagnostics' Northern California
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Business" means Quest Diagnostics'
business of providing Clinical Laboratory Testing Services (regardless
of type of Payer) in Northern California to Customers, including
hospital clinical laboratories and independent clinical laboratories, as
that business existed prior to the Acquisition Date.
-
- BB. "Quest Diagnostics'
Northern California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets" means:
-
- 1. all of the Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, and
-
-
-
- 2. other assets, tangible
and intangible, relating to Quest Diagnostics' Northern California
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Business.
"Quest Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical Laboratory Testing
Services Assets" does not include:
-
-
-
-
- a. rights to the name Quest Diagnostics,
SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Unilab, or any variations
of the foregoing names;
-
-
-
-
-
- b. any tangible personal property located outside
of Northern California or in the offices of Customers;
-
-
-
-
-
- c. Respondents' Medicare and Medicaid licenses
and provider agreements;
-
-
- d. the Nichols Institute;
-
-
-
-
-
- e. any computers, servers,
or other hardware that are used throughout Quest Diagnostics; and
-
-
-
-
-
- f. any computer programs and other software,
patents, trade secrets, know-how, or proprietary information owned
or licensed by the Respondents or their affiliates, including
without limitation Quest Diagnostics' laboratory information systems
and billing system; provided, however, that Respondents
shall convey to the Commission-approved Acquirer (to the extent
permitted by the third-party licensee if Respondents license the
computer programs and other software, patents, trade secrets,
know-how, or proprietary information from a third party) the right
to use any software, patents, trade secrets, know-how, or
proprietary information that is needed to operate the assets
divested to the Commission-approved Acquirer and that the
Commission-approved Acquirer is unable, using
commercially-reasonable efforts, to obtain from other third parties
on commercially-reasonable terms and conditions.
-
- CC. "Respondents" means
Quest Diagnostics and Unilab, individually and collectively.
-
- DD. "Stat Lab" means a
clinical laboratory testing facility with rapid response capability, in
which clinical laboratory tests can be quickly performed for Customers
that require rapid turn-around (less than 24 hours).
II.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
that:
- A. Not later than ten (10)
days after the Acquisition Date, Respondents shall cause the closing to
occur pursuant to the LabCorp Purchase Agreement, and, not later than
six (6) months after the Acquisition Date, Respondents shall divest and
complete the transfer of, absolutely and in good faith and at no minimum
price, the Purchased Assets to LabCorp, pursuant to and in accordance
with the LabCorp Purchase Agreement (which agreement shall not vary or
contradict, or be construed to vary or contradict, the terms of this
Order, it being understood that nothing in this Order shall be construed
to reduce any rights or benefits of LabCorp pursuant to the LabCorp
Purchase Agreement or to reduce any obligations of Respondents under
such agreement). Failure by Respondents to comply with any term of the
LabCorp Purchase Agreement, if approved by the Commission, shall
constitute a failure to comply with this Order.
B. If Respondents do not consummate the
closing pursuant to the LabCorp Purchase Agreement pursuant to and in
accordance with that agreement no later than ten (10) days after the
Acquisition Date, then the Commission may appoint a Divestiture Trustee
pursuant to Paragraph IV. of this Order to divest either the Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics'
Northern California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, at no
minimum price, to an acquirer that receives the prior approval of the
Commission and in a manner that receives the prior approval of the
Commission, and subject to the requirements of this Order.
-
- C. If, at the time the
Commission determines to make this Order final, the Commission notifies
Respondents in writing that LabCorp is not an acceptable purchaser of
the Purchased Assets or that the manner in which the divestiture was
accomplished is not acceptable, then, after receipt of such written
notification:
1. Respondents shall immediately notify
LabCorp of the notice received from the Commission and shall as soon
as practicable effect the rescission of the acquisition and transfer
of the Purchased Assets as provided in the LabCorp Purchase Agreement
(to the extent any of the Purchased Assets have been transferred to
LabCorp);
-
2. Respondents shall divest the Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets pursuant to a Divestiture
Agreement, at no minimum price, to an acquirer that receives the prior
approval of the Commission and in a manner that receives the prior
approval of the Commission no later than six (6) months from the date
the Commission notifies Respondents that they are required to rescind
the transaction with LabCorp; and
3. If Respondents do not divest the
Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets in the time
period required by subparagraph II.C.2., above, the Commission may
appoint a Divestiture Trustee pursuant to Paragraph IV. of this Order
to divest either the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services
Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets, at no minimum price, to an acquirer that
receives the prior approval of the Commission and in a manner that
receives the prior approval of the Commission, and subject to the
requirements of this Order.
-
- D. If, after Respondents
have closed on the LabCorp Purchase Agreement pursuant to and in
accordance with that agreement, but before Respondents have divested and
transferred all of the Purchased Assets to LabCorp pursuant to the
LabCorp Purchase Agreement, an Interim Monitor appointed by the
Commission pursuant to Paragraph III. of this Order determines that
LabCorp has abandoned its efforts to acquire and operate the Purchased
Assets in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Order and
reports such determination to the Commission, and the Commission agrees
with such determination and so notifies Respondents and LabCorp, then:
-
-
- 1. Respondents shall as
soon as practicable effect the rescission of the acquisition and
transfer of the Purchased Assets as provided in the LabCorp Purchase
Agreement;
2. Respondents shall divest the Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets pursuant to a Divestiture
Agreement, at no minimum price, to an acquirer that receives the prior
approval of the Commission and in a manner that receives the prior
approval of the Commission no later than six (6) months from the date
the Commission notifies Respondents and LabCorp that Respondents are
required to rescind the transaction with LabCorp; and
3. If Respondents do not divest the
Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets in the time
period required by subparagraph II.D.2. above, then the Commission may
appoint a Divestiture Trustee pursuant to Paragraph IV. of this Order
to divest either the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services
Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets, at no minimum price, to an acquirer that
receives the prior approval of the Commission and in a manner that
receives the prior approval of the Commission and subject to the
requirements of this Order.
-
- E. Any Divestiture
Agreement that has been approved by the Commission shall be deemed
incorporated by reference into this Order, and any failure by
Respondents to comply with the terms of such Divestiture Agreement shall
constitute a failure to comply with this Order.
F. No later than the Closing Date,
Respondents shall, at the option of the Commission-approved
Acquirer, create and transfer to the Commission-approved Acquirer a
database, in a format acceptable to the Commission-approved Acquirer,
that includes information relating to each physician who has referred
specimens to the PSCs to be divested to the Commission-approved Acquirer
any time during the most recently completed three months for which such
information is available and to the extent such information is
maintained in any of the Respondents' applicable systems. Such
information shall include, without limitation: (1) name, address, and
phone number of account, (2) name of physician, (3) billing name and
address, if different, (4) office contact, (5) UPIN, (6) licenses, (7)
pick-up times, (8) custom panels, if any, (9) client-specific alert
values, (10) requirements regarding delivery of test results, (11)
same-day testing requirements, (12) special services, (13) pre-printed
test names, (14) special supply requirements, (15) form of requisition,
(16) net discounted and all special fees for all clinical laboratory
services billed to the Customer during such three-month period, (18)
special service fees, and (19) special billing agreements; provided,
however, that if Respondents create and transfer to LabCorp a
database as described in the LabCorp Purchase Agreement, and if the
Commission does not require rescission of the divestiture and transfer
of the Purchased Assets, then the Respondents shall have no further
obligation pursuant to this Paragraph II.F.
-
- G. From the Closing Date
through the date six (6) months following the last transfer of the
Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services
Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets, if divested):
-
-
- 1. Respondents shall not
disclose or convey, directly or indirectly, to Firewalled Employees
any Confidential Business Information relating to the assets divested
and transferred to the Commission-approved Acquirer pursuant to this
Order; and
2. Firewalled
Employees shall not solicit or access any Confidential Business
Information relating to the assets divested and transferred to the
Commission-approved Acquirer pursuant to this Order from any other of
Respondents' employees;
-
provided, however,
that nothing contained herein shall prohibit Respondents' employees from
using Confidential Business Information to respond to inquiries from
Customers requesting information relating to that Customer's own
account; and provided, further, that only for purposes of the
divestiture of the Purchased Assets, nothing contained herein shall
prohibit Quest Diagnostics Firewalled Employees (and, following the
completion of the divestiture and transfer of all of the Purchased
Assets, all other Firewalled Employees) from using, soliciting, or
having access to Confidential Business Information relating to any
physician not included in the database that Respondents are required to
create and transfer to LabCorp pursuant to the LabCorp Purchase
Agreement as contemplated by Paragraph II.F. of this Order.
- 3. Prior to the Closing
Date, Respondents shall develop and implement procedures to assure
that such Confidential Business Information is not disclosed or
conveyed to Firewalled Employees and that Firewalled Employees do not
solicit or access such Confidential Business Information from any
other of Respondents' employees consistent with the requirements of
this Paragraph II.G.
-
H. Respondents shall,
promptly following the Closing Date, provide written or electronic
notification to the Firewalled Employees and all of Respondents'
employees who have access to Confidential Business Information relating
to the assets divested to the Commission-approved Acquirer pursuant to
this Order of the restrictions on the disclosure and solicitation of
Confidential Business Information relating to the Purchased Assets (or
the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest
Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services
Assets, if divested) by Respondents' personnel. At the same time, if not
provided earlier, Respondents shall provide a copy of such notification
to employees by e-mail with return receipt requested or similar
transmission and keep an electronic file of such receipts for one (1)
year after the Closing Date. Respondents shall provide a copy of the
form of such notification to the Commission-approved Acquirer, the
Interim Monitor, and the Commission. Respondents shall also obtain from
the Firewalled Employees an agreement to abide by the
applicable restrictions. Such agreement and notification shall be in
substantially the form set forth in the "Notice of the Divestiture and
Employee Agreement to Maintain Confidential Business Information"
attached to the Order to Maintain Assets issued in this matter.
I. Respondents shall not, in connection with
divestiture and transfer of the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics'
Northern California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if
divested), interfere with the employment by the Commission-approved
Acquirer of any employee of Respondents with responsibilities relating
primarily to the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested), shall not
offer any incentive to such employees to decline employment with the
Commission-approved Acquirer or to accept other employment with
Respondents in lieu of accepting employment with the Commission-approved
Acquirer, and shall remove any other impediments that may deter such
employees from accepting employment with the Commission-approved
Acquirer, including, but not limited to, any confidentiality provisions
relating to the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested) or any
non-compete or confidentiality provisions of employment or other
contracts with Respondents that would affect the ability of those
individuals to be employed by the Commission-approved Acquirer;
provided, however, that if Respondents comply with the terms of
the LabCorp Purchase Agreement relating to the solicitation and
employment by LabCorp of employees of the Respondents, and if the
Commission does not require rescission of the divestiture and transfer
of the Purchased Assets, then the Respondents shall have no further
obligations pursuant to this Paragraph II.I.; and provided, further,
that nothing in this Paragraph II.I. shall be construed to require the
Respondents to terminate the employment of any employee.
J. For a period of one (1)
year following the date the divestiture and transfer are completed,
Respondents shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, or
attempt to solicit or induce any employees of Respondent who have
accepted offers of employment with the Commission-approved Acquirer to
terminate their employment relationship with the Commission-approved
Acquirer unless the individual has been terminated by the
Commission-approved Acquirer; provided, however, a violation of
this provision will not occur if: (1) Respondents advertise for
employees in newspapers, trade publications, or other media not targeted
specifically at the employees, or (2) Respondents hire employees who
apply for employment with Respondents, as long as such employees were
not solicited by Respondents in violation of this Paragraph II.J.
K.Respondents shall provide all Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Managerial Employees with reasonable
financial incentives to continue in their positions until the Closing
Date. Such incentives shall include a continuation of all employee
benefits offered by Respondents until the Closing Date for the
divestiture of the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern
California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested),
including regularly scheduled raises and bonuses, and a vesting of all
pension benefits (as permitted by law). In addition, Respondents shall
provide a retention incentive to the Clinical Laboratory Testing
Services Managerial Employees who accept employment with the
Commission-approved Acquirer equal to ten (10) percent of such
employee's total annual cash compensation for the year 2002 under the
following terms:
- 1. five (5) percent of
the incentive to be paid upon the employee's completion of six (6)
months of continuous employment with the Commission-approved Acquirer
after the Closing Date, and
2. the remaining five (5) percent to be paid
upon the employee's completion of one (1) year of continuous
employment with the Commission-approved Acquirer after the Closing
Date.
-
L. Respondents shall,
consistent with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations,
secure all actual or constructive consents and waivers from all entities
that are necessary for the divestiture of, or for the continued
operation or use of, the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern
California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Asset, if divested) by
the Commission-approved Acquirer. In the event that Respondents are
unable to obtain all consents and waivers, Respondents may substitute
equivalent assets, subject to Commission approval; provided, however,
that Respondents shall not be required to divest substitute assets for
an asset that Respondents are unable to convey because of a failure to
obtain all applicable consents and waivers if the failure to obtain the
necessary consents and waivers is a direct result of a refusal by the
Commission-approved Acquirer to agree to commercially reasonable terms,
including an extension of a lease reasonably requested by a landlord, or
any other inaction by or action by the Commission-approved Acquirer
inconsistent with customary industry practice. A substituted asset will
not be deemed to be equivalent unless it enables the Commission-approved
Acquirer to operate the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern
California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested) at
commercially reasonable terms.
M. From the date
Respondents execute the Agreement Containing Consent Orders, until such
time as the Commission-approved Acquirer has completed its transition,
including installation of all necessary software and hardware (but in no
event later than six (6) months after the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets (or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested) are divested
and transferred), Respondents shall provide to the Commission-approved
Acquirer such personnel, services, assistance, and training as the
Commission-approved Acquirer reasonably needs to transfer the Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets (or Quest Diagnostics'
Northern California Clinical Testing Services Assets, if divested) or
conduct the business (including billing support). Respondents shall not
require the Commission-approved Acquirer to pay compensation for the
personnel, services, assistance, or training in excess of Respondents'
direct costs of providing such services; provided, however,
that if Respondents provide assistance pursuant to the LabCorp Purchase
Agreement, and if the Commission does not require rescission of the
divestiture and transfer of the Purchased Assets, then the Respondents
shall have no further obligation pursuant to this Paragraph II.M.
N. Pending divestiture and transfer of the
Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory Testing Services
Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets, if divested), Respondents shall take such
actions as are necessary to maintain the viability, marketability, and
competitiveness of Quest Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets and to prevent the destruction,
removal, wasting, deterioration, sale, disposition, transfer, or
impairment of any of Quest Diagnostics' Northern California Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets except for ordinary wear and tear.
O. The purpose of the
divestiture and transfer of the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics'
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested) is to ensure
the continued use of the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested) in the same business in
which the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets, if divested) were engaged at the time of the
announcement of the Acquisition, and to remedy the lessening of
competition resulting from the Acquisition as alleged in the
Commission's Complaint.
III.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
that:
- A. At any time after
Respondents sign the Consent Agreement, the Commission may appoint an
Interim Monitor to assure that Respondents expeditiously comply with all
of their obligations and perform all of their responsibilities as
required by this Order and the Order to Maintain Assets (collectively,
"the Orders"), and to monitor the Commission-approved Acquirer's
reasonable diligence in effectuating the divestiture and transfer of
assets pursuant to a Divestiture Agreement.
B. If an Interim Monitor is appointed pursuant
to Paragraph III.A. of this Order or Paragraph III.A of the Order to
Maintain Assets issued in this matter, Respondents shall consent to the
following terms and conditions regarding the powers, duties,
authorities, and responsibilities of the Interim Monitor:
-
-
- 1. The Commission shall
select the Interim Monitor, subject to the consent of Respondents,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. If neither
Respondent has opposed, in writing, including the reasons for
opposing, the selection of a proposed Interim Monitor within ten (10)
days after notice by the staff of the Commission to Respondents of the
identity of any proposed Interim Monitor, Respondents shall be deemed
to have consented to the selection of the proposed Interim Monitor.
2. The Interim Monitor shall have the power
and authority to monitor the Respondents' compliance with the terms of
the Orders and the Commission-approved Acquirer's reasonable diligence
in effectuating the divestiture and transfer of assets pursuant to the
Divestiture Agreement, and shall exercise such power and authority and
carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Interim Monitor in a
manner consistent with the purposes of the Orders and in consultation
with the Commission.
3. Not later than ten (10) days after
appointment of the Interim Monitor, Respondents shall execute an
agreement that, subject to the prior approval of the Commission,
confers on the Interim Monitor all the rights and powers necessary to
permit the Interim Monitor to monitor Respondents' compliance with the
relevant terms of the Orders and the Commission-approved Acquirer's
reasonable diligence in effectuating the divestiture and transfer of
assets pursuant to the Divestiture Agreement in a manner consistent
with the purposes of the Orders.
4. The Interim Monitor shall serve until the
last obligation under the Orders pertaining to the Interim Monitor's
service has been fully performed; provided, however, that the
Commission may extend or modify this period as may be necessary or
appropriate to accomplish the purposes of the Orders.
5. Subject to any legally recognized
privilege, the Interim Monitor shall have full and complete access to
Respondents' personnel, books, documents, or records kept in the
normal course of business, facilities and technical information, and
any other relevant information as the Interim Monitor may reasonably
request, relating to Respondents' compliance with their obligations
under the Orders, including, but not limited to, their obligations
relating to the Purchased Assets (or the Outpatient Clinical
Laboratory Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern
California Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets, if divested).
Respondents shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the Interim
Monitor and shall take no action to interfere with or impede the
Interim Monitor's ability to monitor Respondents' compliance with the
Orders.
6. The Interim Monitor shall serve, without
bond or other security, at the expense of Respondents on such
reasonable and customary terms and conditions as the Commission may
set. The Interim Monitor shall have authority to employ, at the
expense of the Respondents, such consultants, accountants, attorneys
and other representatives and assistants as are reasonably necessary
to carry out the Interim Monitor's duties and responsibilities. The
Interim Monitor shall account for all expenses incurred, including
fees for services rendered, subject to the approval of the Commission.
The Commission may, among other things, require the Interim Monitor
and each of the Interim Monitor's consultants, accountants, attorneys,
and other representatives and assistants to sign an appropriate
confidentiality agreement relating to Commission materials and
information received in connection with the performance of the Interim
Monitor's duties.
7. Respondents shall indemnify the Interim
Monitor and hold the Interim Monitor harmless against any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in
connection with, the performance of the Interim Monitor's duties,
including all reasonable fees of counsel and other reasonable expenses
incurred in connection with the preparations for, or defense of, any
claim, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent
that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses result
from misfeasance, gross negligence, willful or wanton acts, or bad
faith by the Interim Monitor.
8. If the Commission determines that the
Interim Monitor has ceased to act or failed to act diligently, the
Commission may appoint a substitute Interim Monitor in the same manner
as provided in Paragraph III.A. of this Order or Paragraph III.A. of
the Order to Maintain Assets in this matter.
9. The Commission may on its own initiative,
or at the request of the Interim Monitor, issue such additional orders
or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to assure compliance
with the requirements of the Orders.
-
10. Respondents shall report to the Interim
Monitor in accordance with the requirements of Paragraph V. of this
Order and Paragraph IV. of the Order to Maintain Assets and/or as
otherwise provided in any agreement approved by the Commission. The
Interim Monitor shall evaluate the reports submitted to the Interim
Monitor by Respondents, and any reports submitted by the
Commission-approved Acquirer with respect to the performance of its or
Respondents' obligations under the Orders or the Divestiture
Agreement. Within one (1) month from the date the Interim Monitor
receives these reports, the Interim Monitor shall report in writing to
the Commission concerning compliance by Respondents with the
provisions of the Orders.
11. Respondents may require the Interim
Monitor and each of the Interim Monitor's consultants, accountants,
attorneys, and other representatives and assistants to sign a
customary confidentiality agreement; provided, however, such
agreement shall not restrict the Interim Monitor from providing any
information to the Commission.
IV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
that:
- A. If Respondents have not
fully complied with the obligations specified in Paragraph II.A., B.,
C., or D, as applicable, of this Order, the Commission may appoint a
Divestiture Trustee to divest either the Outpatient Clinical Laboratory
Testing Services Assets or Quest Diagnostics' Northern California
Clinical Laboratory Testing Services Assets in a manner that satisfies
the requirements of Paragraph II of this Order. In the event that the
Commission or the Attorney General brings an action pursuant to § 5(l)
of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(l), or any
other statute enforced by the Commission, Respondents shall consent to
the appointment of a Divestiture Trustee in such action to divest the
relevant assets in accordance with the terms of this Order. Neither the
appointment of a Divestiture Trustee nor a decision not to appoint a
Divestiture Trustee under this Paragraph shall preclude the Commission
or the Attorney General from seeking civil penalties or any other relief
available to it, including a court-appointed Divestiture Trustee,
pursuant to § 5(l) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, or any
other statute enforced by the Commission, for any failure by the
Respondents to comply with this Order.
B. If a Divestiture Trustee is appointed by
the Commission or a court pursuant to Paragraph IV.A. of this Order,
Respondents shall consent to the following terms and conditions
regarding the Divestiture Trustee's powers, duties, authority, and
responsibilities:
-
-
- 1. The Commission shall
select the Divestiture Trustee, subject to the consent of Respondents,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Divestiture
Trustee shall be a person with experience and expertise in
acquisitions and divestitures. If Respondents have not opposed, in
writing, including the reasons for opposing, the selection of any
proposed Divestiture Trustee within ten (10) days after notice by the
staff of the Commission to Respondents of the identity of any proposed
Divestiture Trustee, Respondents shall be deemed to have consented to
the selection of the proposed Divestiture Trustee.
2. Subject to the prior approval of the
Commission, the Divestiture Trustee shall have the exclusive power and
authority to divest or transfer the relevant assets that are required
by this Order to be divested or transferred.
3. Within ten (10) days after appointment of
the Divestiture Trustee, Respondents shall execute a trust agreement
that, subject to the prior approval of the Commission and, in the case
of a court-appointed Divestiture Trustee, of the court, transfers to
the Divestiture Trustee all rights and powers necessary to permit the
Divestiture Trustee to effect the relevant divestiture(s) or
transfer(s) required by the Order.
4. The Divestiture Trustee shall have twelve
(12) months from the date the Commission approves the trust agreement
described in Paragraph IV.B.3. to accomplish the divestiture(s), which
shall be subject to the prior approval of the Commission. If, however,
at the end of the twelve-month period, the Divestiture Trustee has
submitted a plan of divestiture or believes that the divestiture(s)
can be achieved within a reasonable time, the divestiture period may
be extended by the Commission, or, in the case of a court-appointed
Divestiture Trustee, by the court; provided, however, the
Commission may extend the divestiture period only two (2) times.
5. The Divestiture Trustee shall have full
and complete access to the personnel, books, records, and facilities
relating to the relevant assets that are required to be divested by
this Order or to any other relevant information, as the Divestiture
Trustee may request. Respondents shall develop such financial or other
information as the Divestiture Trustee may request and shall cooperate
with the Divestiture Trustee. Respondents shall take no action to
interfere with or impede the Divestiture Trustee's accomplishment of
the divestiture(s). Any delays in divestiture caused by Respondents
shall extend the time for divestiture under this Paragraph in an
amount equal to the delay, as determined by the Commission or, for a
court-appointed Divestiture Trustee, by the court.
6. The Divestiture Trustee shall use his or
her best efforts to negotiate the most favorable price and terms
available in each contract that is submitted to the Commission,
subject to Respondents' absolute and unconditional obligation to
divest at no minimum price. The divestiture(s) shall be made in the
manner and to an acquirer as required by this Order; provided,
however, if the Divestiture Trustee receives bona fide offers
from more than one acquiring entity, and if the Commission determines
to approve more than one such acquiring entity, the Divestiture
Trustee shall divest to the acquiring entity selected by Respondents
from among those approved by the Commission; provided further,
however, that Respondents shall select such entity within
five (5) days of receiving notification of the Commission's approval.
7. The Divestiture Trustee shall serve,
without bond or other security, at the cost and expense of
Respondents, on such reasonable and customary terms and conditions as
the Commission or a court may set. The Divestiture Trustee shall have
the authority to employ, at the cost and expense of Respondents, such
consultants, accountants, attorneys, investment bankers, business
brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and assistants as are
necessary to carry out the Divestiture Trustee's duties and
responsibilities. The Divestiture Trustee shall account for all monies
derived from the divestiture(s) and all expenses incurred. After
approval by the Commission and, in the case of a court-appointed
Divestiture Trustee, by the court, of the account of the Divestiture
Trustee, including fees for his or her services, all remaining monies
shall be paid at the direction of the Respondents, and the Divestiture
Trustee's power shall be terminated. The compensation of the
Divestiture Trustee shall be based at least in significant part on a
commission arrangement contingent on the divestiture of all of the
relevant assets that are required to be divested by this Order.
8.
Respondents shall indemnify the Divestiture Trustee and
hold the Divestiture Trustee harmless against any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in connection
with, the performance of the Divestiture Trustee's duties, including
all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation for, or defense of, any claim, whether
or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses result from
misfeasance, gross negligence, willful or wanton acts, or bad faith by
the Divestiture Trustee.
-
9. If the Divestiture Trustee ceases to act
or fails to act diligently, a substitute Divestiture Trustee shall be
appointed in the same manner as provided in Paragraph IV. of this
Order.
10. The Commission or, in the case of a
court-appointed Divestiture Trustee, the court, may on its own
initiative or at the request of the Divestiture Trustee issue such
additional orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to
accomplish the divestiture(s) required by this Order.
-
11. The Divestiture Trustee shall have no
obligation or authority to operate or maintain the relevant assets
required to be divested by this Order.
12. The Divestiture Trustee shall report in
writing to Respondents and the Commission every sixty (60) days
concerning the Divestiture Trustee's efforts to accomplish the
divestiture(s).
V.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
that
- A. Beginning thirty (30)
days after the initial report is required to be filed pursuant to the
Agreement Containing Consent Orders in this matter, and every sixty (60)
days thereafter until Respondents have fully complied with these
obligations pursuant to this Order, Respondents shall submit to the
Commission and the Interim Monitor verified written reports setting
forth in detail the manner and form in which they intend to comply, are
complying, and have complied with Paragraphs II.A. ( or Paragraphs II.B.,
C., or D., or Paragraph IV., if applicable) and Paragraphs II.F., G.,
H., I., L., M., and N.; and
B. Beginning six (6) months after the initial
report is required to be filed, and every six (6) months thereafter, for
the duration of Respondents' obligation, Respondents shall submit to the
Commission verified written reports setting forth in detail the manner
and form in which they are complying and have complied with Paragraphs
II.J. and K. of this Order.
C. Respondents shall include in their reports,
among other things that are required from time to time, a full
description of the efforts being made to comply with this Order, subject
to any legally recognized privilege, including copies of all written and
electronic communications to and from the parties, all internal
memoranda, and all reports and recommendations concerning the completion
of such obligations.
VI.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
that Respondents shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days
prior to any proposed change in either corporate Respondent such as
dissolution, assignment, sale resulting in the emergence of a successor
corporation, or the creation or dissolution of subsidiaries or any other
change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising
out of the Order.
VII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
that, for the purpose of determining or securing compliance with this
Order, and subject to any legally recognized privilege, and upon written
request with reasonable notice to Respondents, Respondents shall permit
any duly authorized representative of the Commission:
- A. Access, during office
hours of Respondents and in the presence of counsel, to all facilities
and access to inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts,
correspondence, memoranda, and all other records and documents in the
possession or under the control of Respondents relating to compliance
with this Order; and
B. Upon five (5) days' notice to Respondents
and without restraint or interference from Respondents, to interview
officers, directors, or employees of Respondents, who may have counsel
present, regarding such matters.
By the Commission.
Donald S. Clark
Secretary
SEAL
ISSUED:
NON-PUBLIC APPENDIX A
TO THE DECISION AND
ORDER
Management Employees
[Redacted From
Public Record Version]
NON-PUBLIC APPENDIX B
TO THE DECISION AND
ORDER
LabCorp Purchase Agreement
[Redacted From
Public Record Version]
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