BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORP
8-K, 1998-12-24
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<PAGE>
 
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
                       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
 
                               December 23, 1998
               ------------------------------------------------
               DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)
 
                       BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION
              ---------------------------------------------------
              (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
        DELAWARE                   000-23421                 52-2054952
- -------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------
 (STATE OR JURISDICTION      (COMMISSION FILE NO.)        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
    OF INCORPORATION)                                  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
 
       800 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 1111, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
       ----------------------------------------------------------------
              (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
 
                                (202) 261-6000
             ----------------------------------------------------
             (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
 
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
 
On December 23, 1998, the Registrant signed a definitive Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Boss Investments LLC ("BOSS"), an affiliate
of Apollo Management, L.P. ("Apollo"), pursuant to which a subsidiary of BOSS 
will merge with and into the Registrant, subject to various conditions.  The 
Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1.

As part of the merger, it is expected that certain members of the Registrant's 
management team will execute a Stockholders' Agreement, a form of which is 
included as Exhibit 5.8 to the Merger Agreement.  In addition, as part of the 
merger, BOSS will, among other things, invest $200 million in Convertible 
Preferred Stock, the terms of which are described in Exhibit 1.4(a) to the 
Merger Agreement, and will render advisory services to the Registrant pursuant 
to the Advisory Agreement set forth in Exhibit 10.1 herein.

On December 23, 1998, the Registrant also issued a press release announcing the 
transaction.  The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Item 5 
the press release, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.  The press release should be
read in conjunction with the Exhibits attached hereto.


ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
 
 (c)  Exhibits
 
 2.1  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 23, 1998, between 
      BOSS Investment LLC and Building One Services Corporation, including
      Exhibit 5.8 and Exhibit 1.4(a) thereto.

10.1  Advisory Agreement, dated December 23, 1998, between Building One Services
      Corporation and Apollo Management, L.P.

99.1  Press Release, dated December 23, 1998.


<PAGE>
 
                                   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.
 
                                     CONSOLIDATION CAPITAL CORPORATION
 
                                
Dated:  December 23, 1998              By:  /s/ F. Traynor Beck 
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          F. Traynor Beck
                                          Executive Vice President, General
                                            Counsel and Secretary 
                                              
 

<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
  Exhibit

   2.1      Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 23, 1998 between 
            Boss Investment LLC and Building One Services Corporation
  
  10.1      Advisory Agreement, dated December 23, 1998, between Building One 
            Services Corporation and Apollo Management, L.P.

  99.1      Press Release 











<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



                                    BETWEEN
                                        

                                                
                              BOSS INVESTMENT LLC


                                      AND


                       BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION



                         DATED AS OF DECEMBER 23, 1998
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S>                                                                      <C>
ARTICLE I THE MERGER.....................................................  7

 1.1     The Merger......................................................  7
 1.2     Consummation of the Merger......................................  7
 1.3     Effects of the Merger...........................................  7
 1.4     Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.........................  7
 1.5     Directors and Officers..........................................  8
 1.6     Company Actions.................................................  8
 1.7     Stockholders' Meeting...........................................  8

ARTICLE II EFFECTS OF THE MERGER.........................................  9

 2.1     Retained Share Elections........................................  9
 2.2     Conversion of Shares............................................ 10
 2.3     Proration....................................................... 11
 2.4     Conversion of Capital Stock of Newco............................ 12
 2.5     Exchange of Certificates........................................ 12
 2.6     Warrants and Company Stock Options.............................. 14
 2.7     FBR............................................................. 14

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY................ 14

 3.1     Organization.................................................... 14
 3.2     Capitalization.................................................. 15
 3.3     Subsidiaries.................................................... 16
 3.4     Authority....................................................... 16
 3.5     Consents and Approvals; No Violations........................... 17
 3.6     SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Other Financial
         Information..................................................... 17
 3.7     Company Acquisitions............................................ 18
 3.8     Information Supplied............................................ 18
 3.9     Absence of Certain Changes or Events............................ 19
 3.10    Litigation...................................................... 19
 3.11    Contracts....................................................... 20
 3.12    Compliance with Laws............................................ 20
 3.13    Environmental Matters........................................... 21
 3.14    Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans; Labor Relations............ 22
 3.15    Employment Matters; Affiliate Transactions...................... 23
 3.16    ERISA Compliance................................................ 23
 3.17    Taxes........................................................... 25
 3.18    Title to Properties; Condition of Assets........................ 26
 3.19    Intellectual Property........................................... 26
 3.20    Non-Compete..................................................... 27
 3.21    Voting Requirements............................................. 27
 3.22    State Takeover Statutes......................................... 27
 3.23    Brokers......................................................... 27
 3.24    Opinion of Financial Advisor.................................... 28
 3.25    Government Contracts............................................ 28
 3.26    Insurance....................................................... 28

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF INVESTOR AND NEWCO.......... 28

 4.1     Organization.................................................... 29
 4.2     Authority....................................................... 29
 4.3     Consents and Approvals; No Violations........................... 29
 4.4     Information Supplied............................................ 30
 4.5     Capitalization of Newco; Ownership of Company Common Stock...... 30

                                  
<PAGE>


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>       <C>                                                            <C> 
 4.6      Financing...................................................... 31
 4.7      Brokers........................................................ 31

ARTICLE V COVENANTS...................................................... 31

 5.1      Conduct of Business............................................ 31
 5.2      No Solicitation................................................ 33
 5.3      Certain Tax Matters............................................ 34
 5.4      Other Actions.................................................. 35
 5.5      Advice of Changes; Filings..................................... 35
 5.6      Financial Information.......................................... 35
 5.7      Financing...................................................... 35
 5.8      Management and Employee Stockholders........................... 36
 5.9      Update to Schedules............................................ 36

ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS......................................... 36

 6.1      Preparation of Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Schedule 13E-3...... 36
 6.2      Access to Information; Confidentiality......................... 37
 6.3      Reasonable Efforts; Notification............................... 37
 6.4      Fees and Expenses.............................................. 38
 6.5      Director and Officer Liability................................. 40
 6.6      NASDAQ Listing................................................. 41
 6.7      Public Announcements........................................... 41
 6.8      Stop Transfer.................................................. 41
 6.9      Further Assurances............................................. 41

ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS................................................... 42

 7.1      Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger..... 42
 7.2      Conditions to the Company's Obligation To Effect the Merger.... 43
 7.3      Conditions to the Investor's and Newco's Obligations to Effect
          the Merger..................................................... 43

ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT................................... 44

 8.1      Termination.................................................... 44
 8.2      Effect of Termination.......................................... 46

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 46

 9.1      Amendment...................................................... 46
 9.2      Extension; Waiver.............................................. 47
 9.3      Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements...... 47
 9.4      Notices........................................................ 47
 9.5      Interpretation................................................. 48
 9.6      Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries.................... 49
 9.7      Governing Law.................................................. 49
 9.8      Counterparts................................................... 49
 9.9      Assignment..................................................... 49
 9.10     Enforcement.................................................... 50

</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                               LIST OF SCHEDULES
                               -----------------

                                   [TO COME]

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                                LIST OF EXHIBITS
                                ----------------

                                   [TO COME]

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
                             ----------------------

                                   [TO COME]


                                       v
<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY


                                  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this
                                                                    
                              "Agreement"), dated as of December 23, 1998,
                               ---------                                  
                              between BOSS INVESTMENT LLC, a limited liability
                              company (the "Investor"), and BUILDING ONE
                                            --------                    
                              SERVICES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
                              "Company").
                               -------   

          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that it
is fair and in the best interests of its stockholders for a Delaware corporation
to be formed, and wholly-owned, by the Investor, to merge with and into the
Company (the "Merger") pursuant to Section 251 of the Delaware General
              ------                                                  
Corporation Law ("DGCL") upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
                  ----                                                         
herein;

          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted resolutions
approving and declaring advisable the Merger, this Agreement and the
transactions to which the Company is a party contemplated hereby, and has
agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, to
recommend that the Company's stockholders approve the Merger and this Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the parties have agreed (subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement) to effect the Merger as soon as practicable following the
approval by the stockholders of the Company, as more fully described herein;

          WHEREAS, it is intended that the Merger be treated as a
recapitalization of the Company for financial reporting purposes;

          WHEREAS, as soon as practicable following the execution of this
Agreement and as an inducement to the Investor to enter into this Agreement, the
Investor and certain stockholders of the Company are entering into a Stockholder
Agreement (the "Stockholder Agreement") pursuant to which such stockholders
                ---------------------                                      
have, among other things, granted to the Investor an irrevocable proxy to vote
his or its shares of common stock, par value $.001, of the Company ("Shares") in
                                                                     ------     
favor of the Merger and all other actions necessary to consummate the Merger,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Stockholder
Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Investor and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, the Investor and the Company hereby agree as follows:
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I

                                  THE MERGER

1.1  THE MERGER.

          Prior to the Effective Time (as defined below), the Investor shall
form a new corporation to be called Boss Acquisition Corp. ("Newco") in
                                                             -----     
accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL.  After the formation of
Newco, Investor shall (a) cause Newco to execute and deliver a joinder agreement
pursuant to which it will become a party to this Agreement and (b) execute and
deliver a formal written consent under Section 228 of Delaware Law as the sole
stockholder of Newco, approving the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Newco.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, and in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, Newco shall be merged with
and into the Company as soon as practicable following the satisfaction or
waiver, if permissible, of the conditions set forth in Article VII.  The Company
                                                       -----------              
shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation")
                                                       ---------------------  
and shall continue its existence under the laws of Delaware.  From and after the
Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of Newco shall cease.

1.2  CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER.

          Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall
cause the Merger to be consummated by filing with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware a duly executed certificate of merger, as required by the
DGCL, and shall take all such other and further actions as may be required by
law to make the Merger effective as promptly as practicable.  Prior to the
filing referred to in this Section, a closing (the "Closing") will be held at
                                                    -------                  
the offices of O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell, LLP, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 24th
Floor, New York, New York (or such other place as the parties may agree) for the
purpose of confirming all the foregoing.  The time the Merger becomes effective
in accordance with applicable law is referred to as the "Effective Time."
                                                         --------------  

1.3  EFFECTS OF THE MERGER.

            The Merger shall have the effects set forth in the applicable
provisions of the DGCL and set forth herein.

1.4  CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS.

   (a) The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation; provided that by and in the Merger,
                                            -------- ----                      
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended (i) to prohibit
holders of Shares from taking action by written consent of less than all of the
holders of the class or classes of capital stock entitled to vote thereon and
(ii) to authorize 11,000,000 shares of series preferred stock, of which
6,000,000 shares shall be designated as a new series of Convertible Preferred
Stock of the Company containing the relative rights, terms, limitations and
preferences set forth in EXHIBIT 1.4(A) (the "New Preferred Stock")) (as
                         --------------       -------------------       
amended, the "Certificate of Incorporation").  The amendments to the certificate
              ----------------------------                                      
of incorporation shall be in form reasonably satisfactory to the Investor.  The
Certificate of Incorporation shall be the 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

   (b) The by-laws of Newco (the "By-laws") as in effect immediately prior to
                                  -------                                    
the Effective Time shall be the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation, until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

1.5  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

          The directors and officers of the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation
until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; provided that
                                                                  -------- ----
as part of the Merger, the size of the board of directors shall be automatically
increased to the size set forth in EXHIBIT 1.4(A) and the persons elected by the
                                   --------------                               
Investor in accordance with the terms of the New Preferred Stock shall
automatically become directors of the Company.

1.6  COMPANY ACTIONS.

          The Company hereby represents and warrants that (a) at meetings duly
called and held, its Board of Directors and a special committee consisting of
disinterested directors (the "Special Committee")), has (i) determined that the
                              -----------------                                
Merger (upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement) is fair
to and in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company, (ii) approved
and declared advisable this Agreement and the Merger, (iii) determined to
recommend (subject to Section 5.2 of this Agreement) approval of the Merger and
                      -----------                                              
this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company, (iv) taken all necessary
steps to render the restrictions of Section 203 of the DGCL inapplicable to the
Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the
execution, delivery and performance of the Stockholder Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company), (v) resolved to elect not to be subject, to the
extent permitted by Law, to any state takeover law other than Section 203 of the
DGCL that may purport to be applicable to the Merger, or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and (vi) determined not to accelerate the vesting
of any Company Stock Options or Warrants except as permitted by Section 5.1(k)
                                                                --------------
and (b) Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. (the "Financial Advisor") has
                                                     -----------------      
advised the Special Committee and the Company's Board of Directors that, in its
opinion, the consideration to be received and retained by the Company's
stockholders (other than the Investor and its Affiliates) in the Merger is fair,
from a financial point of view, to such stockholders.

1.7  STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING.

   (a) The Company, acting through its Board of Directors, shall, in accordance
with applicable Law, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a special
meeting (the "Special Meeting") of its stockholders as soon as is reasonably
              ---------------                                               
practicable for the purpose of obtaining the approval of this Agreement and the
Merger, include in the registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy
statement relating to any required approval by or meeting of the Company's
stockholders with respect to this Agreement and the Merger, including the
amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the
                                                                          
"Proxy Statement/Prospectus") for use in connection with the Special Meeting
- ---------------------------                                                 
and, subject to Section 5.2, the recommendation of the 
                -----------

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Company's Board of Directors that stockholders of the Company vote in favor of
the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Merger. The Company agrees to
use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Special Meeting to occur as
soon as possible under applicable law and the Company's Bylaws after the Company
has responded to all comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") with respect to the preliminary Proxy Statement/Prospectus as provided in
 ---
Section 6.1.
- -----------

   (b) Prior to the mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Company shall
appoint an independent bank or trust company to act as paying agent (the "Paying
                                                                          ------
Agent"), which Paying Agent shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Investor,
- -----                                                                        
for the payment of the cash portion of the Merger Consideration.

                                   ARTICLE II

                             EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

2.1  RETAINED SHARE ELECTIONS.

   (a) Each person who is a record holder of Shares as of 11:59 p.m., New York
City time, on the business day immediately preceding the date of the Special
Meeting or the date of any meeting of stockholders held pursuant to any
adjournment of the Special Meeting (the "Election Date") will be entitled, with
                                         -------------                         
respect to all or any portion of his or its Shares, to make an election to
retain Shares as set forth in, and subject to the provisions of this 
Section 2.1.
- -----------


   (b) The Company shall prepare and mail a form of election, which form shall
be subject to the approval of the Investor which shall not be unreasonably
withheld (the "Election Form"), with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the
               -------------                                              
record holders of Shares as of the record date for the Special Meeting, which
Election Form shall be used by each record holder of Shares who wishes to elect
to retain Shares in lieu of such Shares being converted into the right to
receive the Cash Merger Price (as defined below) for each such Share.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any such
election shall be subject to proration as set forth below.  The Company will use
commercially reasonable efforts to make the Election Form and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus available to all persons who become holders of Shares
during the period between such record date and the Election Date.  Any such
holder's election to retain Shares shall have been validly made only if the
Paying Agent shall have received at its designated office, on or prior to the
Election Date, an Election Form properly completed and signed in accordance with
such rules as the Paying Agent may establish pursuant to Section 2.1(e), and
                                                         --------------     
accompanied by either (i) certificates for the Shares to which such Election
Form relates, duly endorsed in blank or otherwise in form acceptable for
transfer on the books of the Company or (ii) an appropriate guarantee of
delivery of such certificates as set forth in such Election Form from a firm
which is a member of a registered national securities exchange or of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust
company having an office or correspondent in the United States (a "Notice of
                                                                   ---------
Guaranteed Delivery").  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
- -------------------                                                       
herein, any Election Form accompanied by a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall
be deemed not validly made if the certificate or certificates are in fact
delivered to the Paying Agent after three (3) Nasdaq Stock Market trading days
after the date of execution of such guarantee of delivery.


                                       9
<PAGE>
 
   (c) Any Election Form may be revoked only by the stockholder submitting such
Election Form if a written notice of revocation is received by the Paying Agent
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Election Date.  In addition, all
Election Forms shall be revoked automatically if this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 8.1.  If an Election Form is revoked, the certificate or
            -----------                                                     
certificates (or guarantees of delivery, as appropriate) for the Shares to which
such Election Form relates shall be returned by the Paying Agent to the
stockholder submitting the same to the Paying Agent.

   (d) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) "Elected Retained Share" shall mean a
                                            ----------------------              
Share in respect of which an election to retain such Share is validly made and
not validly revoked prior to the Election Date and (ii) "Elected Cash Share"
                                                         ------------------ 
shall mean a Share in respect of which either an election to retain such Share
is not validly made prior to the Election Date or an election to retain such
Share is validly revoked prior to the Election Date.

   (e) The Paying Agent may, with the mutual agreement of Newco and the Company,
make such rules as are consistent with this Section 2.1 for the implementation
                                            -----------                       
of the elections provided for herein as shall be necessary or desirable fully to
effect such elections.

   (f) The Paying Agent shall determine (i) whether or not elections to retain
Shares have been validly made or validly revoked pursuant to this Section 2.1
                                                                  -----------
and (ii) when elections and revocations have been received by it.  If the Paying
Agent determines that any election to retain Shares was not validly made, such
Shares shall be converted in the Merger into the right to receive the Cash
Merger Price (as defined below).  The Paying Agent shall also make all
computations as to the allocation and the proration contemplated by Section 2.3.
                                                                    ----------- 
All determinations and calculations by the Paying Agent shall be conclusive and
binding on the holders of Shares.

2.2  CONVERSION OF SHARES.

   (a) All Shares held in the treasury of the Company (the "Excluded Shares")
                                                            ---------------  
shall be canceled and shall cease to exist as of the Effective Time, without any
consideration being payable therefore.

   (b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Shares which
would otherwise constitute Elected Cash Shares or Non-Elected Cash Shares
hereunder, which are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time and which are held by stockholders who did not vote in favor of the Merger
and who comply with all of the relevant provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL
(the "Dissenting Shares") shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the
      -----------------                                                         
right to receive the Cash Merger Price (as defined below), but instead shall be
converted into the right to receive payment from the Surviving Corporation with
respect to such Dissenting Shares in accordance with the DGCL, unless and until
such holders shall have effectively withdrawn or lost their rights to appraisal
under the DGCL.  If any such holder shall have effectively withdrawn or lost
such right, such holder's Shares shall be converted into the right to receive
the Cash Merger Price (as defined below).  The Company shall give prompt notice
to the Investor of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of Shares,
and the Investor shall have the right to participate in and direct all
negotiations and proceedings with 

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written
consent of the Investor, make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to
settle, any such demands.

   (c) By virtue of the Merger, each Share issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time, other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares,
shall be retained or converted into the right to receive cash as follows:

         (i) Each Share that is an Elected Retained Share and each Share that is
     a Non-Elected Retained Share (as defined in Section 2.3(c)) (in either
                                                 --------------            
     case, a "Retained Share") shall be retained by the holder thereof following
              --------------                                                    
     the Effective Time, shall remain outstanding and shall represent one share
     of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation;
     and
         (ii) Each Share that is an Elected Cash Share and each Share that is a
     Non-Elected Cash Share (as defined in Section 2.3(b)) shall be converted
                                           --------------                    
     into the right to receive from the Surviving Corporation $25 in cash (the
                                                                              
     "Cash Merger Price").
     ------------------   

2.3  PRORATION.

   (a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the aggregate
number of Retained Shares (the "Actual Retained Share Number") shall be equal to
                                ----------------------------                    
10,578,000 Shares.

   (b) If the aggregate number of Shares constituting Elected Retained Shares
(the "Elected Retained Share Number") exceeds the Actual Retained Share Number,
      -----------------------------                                            
then the number of Shares which shall be Retained Shares pursuant to Section
                                                                     -------
2.2(c)(i) shall be reduced by such excess number of Shares (each such Share
- ---------                                                                  
included among such excess, a "Non-Elected Cash Share").  In such event, each
                               ----------------------                        
holder of Elected Retained Shares shall be allocated Non-Elected Cash Shares in
lieu of Retained Shares such that (after giving effect to Section 2.5(e)) each
                                                          --------------      
such holder shall be deemed to hold Non-Elected Cash Shares in an amount equal
to (i) the total number of Elected Retained Shares held by such holder less (ii)
                                                                       ----     
the product of (A) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Actual Retained
Share Number, and the denominator of which is the Elected Retained Share Number,
multiplied by (B) the total number of Elected Retained Shares held by such
holder.

   (c) If the Actual Retained Share Number is greater than the Elected Retained
Share Number, then the aggregate number of Shares which shall be converted into
the right to receive cash pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(ii) shall be decreased by a
                                      ------------------                        
number of Shares equal to the excess of the Actual Retained Share Number over
the Elected Retained Share Number (each Share included among such excess, a
                                                                           
"Non-Elected Retained Share").  In such event, each holder of Elected Cash
- ---------------------------                                               
Shares shall be allocated a portion of the Non-Elected Retained Shares in lieu
of Elected Cash Shares (after giving effect to Section 2.5(e)) equal to (i) the
                                               --------------                  
number of Elected Cash Shares held by such holder, multiplied by (ii) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Non-Elected Retained Shares
and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Elected Cash Shares held
by all holders.


                                      11
<PAGE>
 
2.4  CONVERSION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF NEWCO.

   (a) Each share of common stock, par value $.01, of Newco, issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, shall be converted into
and become at the Effective Time one share of common stock, par value $.001, of
the Surviving Corporation.

   (b) The shares of preferred stock of Newco issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of the holder thereof, shall be converted into and become at the
Effective Time shares of New Preferred Stock of the Surviving Corporation having
an initial liquidation preference equal to $200 million (the "Equity Investment
                                                              -----------------
Amount").
- ------   

2.5  EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.

   (a) As soon as reasonably practicable as of or after the Effective Time of
the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall deposit with the Paying Agent, for
payment in accordance with this Article II, the funds necessary to pay the
                                ----------                                
product of (i) the number Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time less the Actual Retained Share Number multiplied by (ii) the Cash Merger
Price.

   (b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger, each
holder of an outstanding certificate or certificates which prior thereto
represented Shares, upon surrender to the Paying Agent of such certificate or
certificates and acceptance thereof by the Paying Agent, shall be entitled to a
certificate or certificates representing the number of full Retained Shares of
the Surviving Corporation, if any, to be retained by the holder thereof as
Retained Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the amount of cash, if any, into
which the number of Shares previously represented by such certificate or
certificates surrendered shall have been converted pursuant to this Agreement.
The Paying Agent shall accept such certificates upon compliance with such
reasonable terms and conditions as the Paying Agent may impose to effect an
orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal exchange practices.  After
the Effective Time of the Merger, there shall be no further transfer on the
records of the Company or its transfer agent of certificates representing Shares
which have been converted, in whole or in part, pursuant to this Agreement, into
the right to receive cash, and if such certificates are presented to the Company
for transfer, they shall be canceled against delivery of such cash.  If any
certificate for Retained Shares is to be issued in, or if cash is to be remitted
to, a name other than that in which the certificate for Shares surrendered for
exchange is registered, it shall be a condition of such exchange that the
certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed, with signature guaranteed
or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such
exchange shall pay to the Company or its transfer agent any transfer or other
taxes required by reason of the issuance of certificates for such Retained
Shares in a name other than that of the registered holder of the certificate
surrendered, or establish to the satisfaction of the Company or its transfer
agent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.  Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 2.5(b), each certificate for Shares shall be deemed
                     --------------                                             
at any time after the Effective Time of the Merger to represent only the right
to receive upon such surrender the Cash Merger Price for each Share (other than
any Retained Share) and a new certificate for each Retained Share.


                                      12
<PAGE>
 
   (c) No dividends or other distributions with a record date after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any certificate for Shares not
surrendered with respect to the Retained Shares represented thereby and no cash
payment in lieu of fractional Shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant
to Section 2.5(e) until the surrender of such certificate in accordance with
   --------------                                                           
this Article II.  Subject to applicable Law, following surrender of any such
     ----------                                                             
certificate, there shall be paid to the holder of the certificate representing
whole Retained Shares issued in connection therewith, without interest (i) at
the time of such surrender, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a
fractional retained share to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section
                                                                       -------
2.5(e) and the proportionate amount of dividends or other distributions with a
- ------                                                                        
record date after the Effective Time of the Merger therefor paid with respect to
such Retained Shares, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the
proportionate amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date
after the Effective Time of the Merger but prior to such surrender and a payment
date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole Retained
Shares.

   (d) All cash paid upon the surrender for exchange of certificates
representing Shares in accordance with the terms of this Article II (including
any cash paid pursuant to Section 2.5(e)) shall be deemed to have been paid in
                          --------------                                      
full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Shares exchanged for cash
theretofore represented by such certificates.

   (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each holder of
Shares retained pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to
retain a fraction of a Retained Share (after taking into account all Shares
delivered by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, a cash payment
(without interest) equal to such fraction multiplied by the Cash Merger Price.

   (f) Any cash deposited with the Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 2.5
                                                                 -----------
(the "Exchange Fund") which remains undistributed to the holders of the
      -------------                                                    
certificates representing Shares 180 days after the Effective Time of the Merger
shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation at such time and any holders of
Shares prior to the Merger who have not theretofore complied with this Article
II shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation and only as general
unsecured creditors thereof for payment of their claim for cash, if any.

   (g) None of Newco or the Company or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any
person in respect of any cash from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public
office pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
If any certificates representing Shares shall not have been surrendered prior to
one year after the Effective Time of the Merger (or immediately prior to such
earlier date on which any cash in respect of such certificate would otherwise
escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity (as defined
below)), any such cash in respect of such certificate shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation,
free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled
thereto.

   (h) The Paying Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund, as
directed by the Company, on a daily basis.  Any interest and other income
resulting from such investments shall be paid to the Company.

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
   (i) The Surviving Corporation shall pay all charges and expenses of the
Paying Agent.

2.6  WARRANTS AND COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS.

   (a) Except as set forth in Section 2.6(b), Outstanding Warrants and Company
                              --------------                                  
Stock Options shall not be affected by the Merger and shall remain outstanding
and exercisable for Shares in accordance with their terms, except that Company
Stock Options and Warrants may be accelerated to the extent permitted by 
Section 5.1(k) hereof.    
- --------------        

   (b) Each holder of an outstanding Company Stock Option that is exercisable
immediately prior to the Effective Time into Shares (including those Company
Stock Options, the vesting of which has been accelerated pursuant to 
Section 5.1(k)), may elect to have such Company Stock Option cancelled at the
- --------------
Effective Time in exchange for an amount in cash, payable at the time of such
cancellation, equal to the product of (i) the number of Shares subject to such
Company Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by 
(ii) the excess of the Cash Merger Price over the per Share exercise price of 
such Company Stock Option; provided, that, no such cash payment has been made.
                           --------       
Such election shall be made by delivery of a written notice to the Company at
least five business days prior to the Effective Time.

2.7  FBR.

          The Financial Advisor or its Affiliates shall be entitled to exercise
any Warrants held by any of them in accordance with such Warrant's terms and,
with respect to any Shares (including Shares issued upon exercise of any
Warrant) can make an election to retain Shares or receive the Cash Merger Price
in the Merger.  FBR shall agree not to transfer any such Warrants prior to the
mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the Company's stockholders.

                                  ARTICLE III

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

          The Company represents and warrants to the Investor and, when formed
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Newco, as follows (all schedule
references in this Article III are to the schedules to the Disclosure Statement
provided by the Company to the Investor as of the date hereof):

3.1  ORGANIZATION.

          The Company and each Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of its
organization and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its
business as now being conducted.  The Company and each Subsidiary is duly
qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction
in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the
business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except
in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and
in good standing has not had a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in        
Section 9.5 of this Agreement) that has not been cured and reasonably would not
- -------- ---    
be

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the Merger.  As soon as practicable after the date hereof, the
Company will make available to the Investor complete and correct copies of its
and each Subsidiary's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, as amended to
the date supplied.

3.2  CAPITALIZATION.

   (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 250,000,000
Shares and 500,000 shares of Convertible Non-Voting Common Stock, par value
$.001.  At the close of business the business day immediately preceding the date
hereof, (a) 45,232,292 Shares were issued and outstanding, (b) 2,990,000 Shares
were held by the Company in its treasury, (c) no shares of Convertible Non-
Voting Common Stock were outstanding, (d) 3,822,971 Shares were reserved for
issuance upon exercise of outstanding options to purchase Shares ("Company Stock
                                                                   -------------
Options") and 360,984 Shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of options
- -------                                                                         
to purchase Shares that the Company has agreed to grant but that have not been
granted, (e) 3,080,000 Shares were issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
warrants, rights or other options to purchase Shares ("Warrants") and (f)
                                                       --------          
1,000,000 Shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.  Except as set forth above, and except for Shares issued
since the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date
hereof upon the exercise of any then outstanding Company Stock Option or any
then outstanding Warrant, since such date no shares of capital stock or other
voting securities of the Company were issued, reserved for issuance, issuable or
outstanding.  All outstanding Shares are, duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights.  There are no
bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company having the right
to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right
to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote.  Except
as set forth above, there are no securities, options, warrants, calls, rights,
commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which the
Company is a party or by which it is bound obligating the Company to issue,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of
capital stock or other voting securities of the Company or obligating the
Company to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option,
warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking.  There
are no outstanding obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company.

   (b) SCHEDULE 3.2(B) sets forth a true, correct and complete list, with
       ---------------                                                   
respect to each Company Stock Option or Warrant, of (i) the holder thereof, (ii)
the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of each such vested Company Stock
Option or Warrant, (iii) the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of each
such unvested Company Stock Option or Warrant, (iv) the date of grant, (v) the
exercise price thereof and (vi) the vesting schedule.

   (c) SCHEDULE 3.2(C) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all
       ---------------                                                    
holders of the Company's capital stock as of the date hereof who are employed by
the Company or any Subsidiary and own in excess of 50,000 Shares (assuming all
Company Stock Options owned by such person have been exercised).

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
3.3  SUBSIDIARIES.

   (a) The name and location of each of the subsidiaries (as defined in Section
                                                                        -------
9.5 of this Agreement) of the Company (the "Subsidiaries") is set forth on
- ---                                         ------------                  

SCHEDULE 3.3(A).
- --------------- 

   (b) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.3(B), all of the outstanding shares of
                              ---------------                                  
capital stock of Subsidiaries are owned of record and beneficially by the
Company, free and clear of all mortgages, liens, pledges, charges, encumbrances
or other security interests (collectively, "Liens").
                                            -----   
   (c) All outstanding shares of capital stock of Subsidiaries are, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights.  There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness
of any Subsidiary having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable
for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders
of Subsidiaries may vote.  There are no securities, options, warrants, calls,
rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to
which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them is bound
obligating the Company or any Subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to
be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other voting
securities of any Subsidiary or obligating the Company or any Subsidiary to
issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call,
right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking other than pursuant to
the non-binding letters of intent set forth in SCHEDULE 3.3(C) or pursuant to
                                               ---------------               
arrangements described on SCHEDULE 3.7.  There are no outstanding obligations of
                          ------------                                          
the Company or any Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary.

   (d) Except for the Company's interest in the Subsidiaries or as set forth on
                                                                               
SCHEDULE 3.3(D), neither the Company nor any Subsidiary owns directly or
- ---------------                                                         
indirectly any interest or investment in the form of debt or equity in, and
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any obligation or
requirement to provide for or to make any investment in, any person (in each
case, other than non-recourse interests or investments in an amount not in
excess of $500,000).

3.4  AUTHORITY.

          The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby (other than, with respect to the Merger and this Agreement, the approval
of the Merger and the approval and adoption of this Agreement by the holders of
a majority of the Shares outstanding as of the record date for the Special
Meeting (the "Company Stockholder Approval")).  The execution, delivery and
              ----------------------------                                 
performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the Merger
and of the other transactions to which the Company is a party contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of the Company (and the Special Committee) and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to
consummate the transactions so contemplated (in each case, other than, with
respect to the Merger and this Agreement, the Company Stockholder Approval).
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
constitutes a valid and 

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms.

3.5  CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS.

          Except for filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as
may be required under, and other applicable requirements of, the Securities Act
of 1933 as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Exchange Act (including the
                         --------------                                   
filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus) and applicable foreign
and state securities or blue sky laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), neither the execution,
                                           -------                          
delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation by
the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will (a) conflict with or
result in any breach of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-
laws or partnership agreement, as applicable, of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (b) except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.5(B) require any filing
                                         ---------------                   
with, notice to, or Permit (as defined in Section 3.12), authorization, consent
                                          ------------                         
or approval of, any Federal, state or local government or any court, tribunal,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental or other regulatory
authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational (a "Governmental
                                                            ------------
Entity"), (c) result in the creation or imposition of any Liens upon the
properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, (d) except as set forth
on SCHEDULE 3.5(D), result in a violation or breach of, require any notice to
   ---------------                                                           
any party pursuant to, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, amendment,
cancellation, acceleration or right of non-renewal or require any prepayment or
offer to purchase any debt or give rise to the loss of a material benefit)
under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Material Contract (as
defined in Section 3.11) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' properties or assets
may be bound, (e) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties or assets or (f) except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.5(F)
                                                              ---------------
result in the loss, forfeiture, revocation, termination or diminution of any
Permit.

3.6  SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

   (a) The Company has filed with the SEC all reports, forms, schedules and
statements and other documents required to be filed by it (the "SEC Documents").
                                                                ------------- 
As of their respective filing dates, (i) the SEC Documents complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, or the Exchange
Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
thereunder applicable to such SEC Documents, and (ii) as of its filing date,
none of the SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted 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.  The financial statements included in the SEC
Documents complied in all material respects, as of their respective filing
dates, as to form with applicable accounting requirements and the published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (except, in
the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied
on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto) and fairly present the 


                                      17
<PAGE>
 
consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the
dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods
then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end
audit adjustments). Except (x) as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.6, (y) as set forth in
                                               ------------
the most recently publicly available consolidated balance sheet included in the
SEC Documents and (z) for liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice since the date of such balance
sheet, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise)
required by GAAP to be set forth on a balance sheet or in the notes thereto.

3.7  COMPANY ACQUISITIONS.

          SCHEDULE 3.7 sets forth a true, correct and complete description of
          ------------                                                       
all the following information with respect to all pending and completed
acquisitions by the Company or any Subsidiary (the "Company Acquisitions"):
                                                    --------------------   

   (a) the name of the acquired Person,

   (b) in respect of the post-closing performance of the Person acquired, the
potential maximum cash consideration that the Company or any Subsidiary may be
required to pay, the potential maximum value of the Shares that the Company may
be required to issue and the method for valuing such Shares and the timing, and
the formula which will determine the amount, of any cash or stock consideration
that could be payable in respect of the post-closing performance of the Person
acquired,

   (c) a good faith estimate of any post-closing adjustments for each Company
Acquisition, the cash portion thereof and the portion thereof payable in Shares
and the method for valuing such Shares,

   (d) a schedule of the amount of cash held in escrow or otherwise securing the
indemnification obligations to the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of such
Company Acquisition or any holdback arrangement for Shares or cash in respect of
any such indemnification obligation, and

   (e) a description of all indemnification claims submitted or proposed to be
submitted by the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of each such Company
Acquisition.

3.8  INFORMATION SUPPLIED.

          None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company
specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any documents to be
filed by the Company with the SEC or any other Governmental Entity in connection
with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (including,
without limitation, the registration statement on Form S-4, the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Schedule 13E-3) will, on the date of its filing or,
with respect to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as supplemented if necessary, on
the date it is sent or given to stockholders or at the time of the Special
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not


                                      18
<PAGE>
 
misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made by the Company
            -------- ----                                                     
with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on
information supplied by the Investor or Newco specifically for inclusion or
incorporation by reference therein.  The registration statement on Form S-4, the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Schedule 13E-3 and any such other documents
filed by the Company with the SEC or with any other Governmental Entity will
comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

3.9  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS.

          Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.9, since the date of the most recent
                                 ------------                                   
financial statements included in the SEC Documents that have been publicly
available prior to the date hereof, the Company and its Subsidiaries (only from
the date such Subsidiary was acquired by the Company) have conducted their
respective businesses only in the ordinary course consistent with prior
practice, and there has not been (a) any material adverse change, (b) any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to any of the Company's
capital stock, (c) any split, combination or reclassification of any of the
capital stock of the Company or any issuance or the authorization of any
issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution
for shares of capital stock of the Company, (d) any incurrence, assumption or
guarantee by the Company or any Subsidiary of any indebtedness for borrowed
money, other than in the ordinary course of business and in amounts and on terms
consistent with past practices; (e) (i) any granting by the Company or any
Subsidiary to any officer of the Company of any material increase in
compensation, (ii) any granting by the Company or any Subsidiary to any officer,
director or consultant or an employee who earned more than $200,000 in the most
recent fiscal year or is currently earning (on an annualized basis) more than
$200,000 (in salary, bonus and other cash compensation), of any material
increase in severance or termination pay or (iii) any entry by the Company or
any Subsidiary into any written or oral employment agreement, or any severance
or termination agreement or arrangement with any officer, director or consultant
or an employee who earned more than $200,000 in the most recent fiscal year or
is currently earning (on an annualized basis) more than $200,000 (in salary,
bonus and other cash compensation), (f) any damage, destruction or loss to
property, whether or not covered by insurance, that, individually or in the
aggregate, has not been cured and may be reasonably expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (g) any material
change in accounting methods, principles or practices by the Company or any
Subsidiary other than those required by GAAP, (h) any delivery of a notice of
non-renewal or any other failure to renew Contracts between the Company or any
Subsidiary, on the one hand, and its customers, on the other hand, which are
material, individually or in the aggregate or (i) any loss of any employee who
earned more than $200,000 in the most recent fiscal year (in salary, bonus and
other cash compensation).

3.10  LITIGATION.

          Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.10, there is no material claim,
                                 -------------                             
suit, action, proceeding or investigation (each, a "Proceeding") pending or, to
                                                    ----------                 
the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries and there is no judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order
of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against the Company or any
Subsidiary.

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
3.11  CONTRACTS.

   (a) SCHEDULE 3.11(A) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all loan
       ----------------                                                         
or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, sublease, purchase
order or other contract, agreement, commitment, instrument, Permit, concession,
franchise or license ("Contracts") to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a
                       ---------                                              
party or by which any of their respective assets or properties are bound that
(i) involves payment over the remaining term (without regard to any early
termination or cancellation rights) of such Contract of more than $1,000,000 or
requires the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, or any of their Affiliates, to
provide goods or services with a value of more than such amount, (ii) evidences
or provides for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of
their Affiliates, in an amount in excess of $500,000, or any Encumbrance
securing such Indebtedness, (iii) guarantees the performance, liabilities or
obligations of any other Person except for those guarantees which are entered
into in the ordinary course of business, (iv) restricts the Company or any
Subsidiary, or any of their Affiliates, from engaging in any line of business,
(v) provides for the payment of material commissions or fees in respect of the
sale, distribution or marketing of products or services of the Company or any
Subsidiary, or any of their Affiliates, (vi) are with any current officer,
director, Affiliate or "associate" (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange
Act), (vii) relate to the ownership, leasing, licensing or use of real property
or any material Intellectual Property Right, (viii) relate to any proposed
Alternative Transaction as to which discussions have not been terminated prior
to the date hereof, including all Contracts containing confidentiality,
standstill, non-solicitation or similar provisions, (ix) are otherwise material
to the business, financial condition or results of operations or prospects of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, or any of their Affiliates, taken as a whole
(collectively, "Material Contracts").
                ------------------   

   (b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any of their Affiliates, is
and, to the knowledge of the Company, no other party is in violation of or in
default under (nor does there exist any condition affecting the Company or any
Subsidiary, or to the knowledge of the Company, other parties to such Material
Contracts which upon the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would
reasonably be expected to cause such a violation of or default under) any
Material Contract to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties
or assets is bound, except for any such violations or defaults which have not
had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Material Contract constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of the Company and/or Subsidiary, or any of their
Affiliates, party thereto and, to the knowledge of the Company, each other party
thereto, enforceable against such other party in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by equitable principles of bankruptcy,
fraudulent conveyance or insolvency laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

3.12  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

          Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of, and to the
knowledge of the Company none is under investigation with respect to or has been
threatened to be charged with or given notice of any violation of, in each case,
by any Governmental Entity, any applicable statute, law, rule, regulation,
ordinance, Permit, consent, license, judgment, injunction, order or decree
                                                                          
("Laws"), except for violations that have not had, and would not reasonably be
- ------                                                                        
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Except as set forth on 

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
SCHEDULE 3.12 or except as has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to
- -------------
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the
Permits are valid and in full force and effect, (b) neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary is in default under, and no condition exists that with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute a default under, the Permits and (c) none
of the Permits will be terminated or impaired or become terminable, in whole or
in part, as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby. "Permits" means
any license, franchise, permit, certificate, approval or other similar
authorization affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries.

3.13  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

   (a) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.13(a), the Company and each Subsidiary
                              ----------------                                 
is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined below)
except for non-compliances which have not had, and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
The term "Environmental Laws" means any Law, and any common law, relating to:
          ------------------                                                  
(i) Releases (as defined below) or threatened Releases of Hazardous Materials
(as defined below) into the environment; (ii) the generation, treatment,
storage, disposal, use, handling, manufacturing, transportation or shipment of
Hazardous Materials; or (iii) otherwise relating to pollution or protection of
health or safety or the environment.

   (b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.13(b), there has been no Release or
                              ----------------                              
threatened Release of Hazardous Materials, in, on, under or affecting any
property owned, leased, controlled or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary,
except for releases which have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.  The term
                                                                            
"Release" has the meaning set forth in 42 U.S.C. (S) 9601(22).  The term
- --------                                                                
"Hazardous Materials" means any pollutant, contaminant, hazardous, radioactive
- --------------------                                                          
or toxic substance, material, constituent or waste, or any other waste,
substance, chemical or material regulated under any Environmental Law, including
(1) petroleum, crude oil and any fractions thereof, (2) natural gas, synthetic
gas and any mixtures thereof, (3) asbestos and/or asbestos-containing material,
(4) radon and (5) polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"), or materials or fluids
                                              ----                          
containing PCBs.

   (c) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.13c), there is no pending, or, to the
                              ---------------                                 
knowledge of the Company, threatened claim, action, demand, investigation or
inquiry of or against the Company by any Governmental Entity or other person
relating to any actual or potential violations or liability under of
Environmental Law or any actual or potential obligation to investigate or
remediate a Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials except for
Proceedings which have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

   (d) Except in connection with the Company Acquisitions (for which the Company
is indemnified except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.13(d)), neither the Company nor
                                      ----------------                          
any Subsidiary has assumed any liabilities or obligations arising under
Environmental Laws in connection with properties or facilities previously owned,
leased or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary or their predecessors.

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
   (e) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.13(E), to the knowledge of the Company,
                              ----------------                                  
there are no underground or aboveground storage tanks, incinerators or surface
impoundments at, on or about, under or within any property, owned, leased,
controlled or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary, and no such tanks,
incinerators or impoundments have been removed from any such property.

   (f) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has used any waste disposal site,
or otherwise disposed of, transported, or arranged for the transportation of,
any Hazardous Materials to any place or location, with respect to which it has
incurred or, in the future, could reasonably be expected to incur, liability
under CERCLA or any other Environmental Law which would reasonably be expected
to have, individually, or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.14  ABSENCE OF CHANGES IN BENEFIT PLANS; LABOR RELATIONS.

   (a) Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.14(A), since the date of the most
                              ----------------                            
recent audited financial statements included in the SEC Documents (or in the
case of a Subsidiary, if later, the date of its acquisition by the Company),
there has not been any adoption or amendment by the Company or any Subsidiary of
any collective bargaining agreement or any bonus, pension, profit sharing,
deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock purchase,
stock option, phantom stock, retirement, vacation, severance, disability, death
benefit, hospitalization, medical or other plan or arrangement providing
benefits to any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company
or any Subsidiary (for the avoidance of doubt, regular salary and/or wage
increases and modifications to bonus, commission and other incentive
compensation arrangements in case with respect to non-officer employees of the
Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice are excluded from the foregoing).

   (b) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.14(B), there exist no employment,
                              ----------------                            
consulting, severance, termination or indemnification agreements or arrangements
between the Company and any current or former employee, officer or director of
the Company which involve the payment on or after the date hereof of more than
$200,000 per year.

   (c) SCHEDULE 3.14(C) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all
       ----------------                                                    
amounts payable or that will or may become payable to each director, officer or
employee or former director, officer or employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary pursuant to any employment, change-in-control, severance or
termination agreement or arrangement as a result of the Merger.

   (d) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.14(D), there are no collective
                              ----------------                         
bargaining or other labor union agreements to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound.

   (e) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.14(E), to the knowledge of the Company,
                              ----------------                                  
since February 1, 1997 (or in the case of a Subsidiary, if later, the date of
its acquisition by the Company), neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has
encountered any labor union organizing activity, or had any actual or threatened
employee strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts.

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
3.15  EMPLOYMENT MATTERS; AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.

   (a) SCHEDULE 3.15(A) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all
       ----------------                                                    
directors, officers and key employees of the Company and each Subsidiary as of
the date hereof and the aggregate salary, bonus and other cash compensation paid
to each such officer, director and employee of the Company or any Subsidiary in
the most recently completed fiscal year and paid to each such person from the
beginning of the current fiscal through the date hereof.  For purposes hereof,
                                                                              
"key employee" shall mean any person whose current salary is at least $100,000
- -------------                                                                 
per annum.

   (b) SCHEDULE 3.15(B) sets forth a true, correct and complete description of
       ----------------                                                       
all transactions between the Company or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and
any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or
consultants, on the other hand, in each case consummated at any time since
February 1, 1997 or, in the case of a Subsidiary, since the date of its
acquisition by the Company.

   (c) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.15(C), there are no agreements or
                              ----------------                            
arrangements between the Company or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any
of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees or consultants,
on the other hand, with respect to any such transactions.

   (d) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.15(D) no Affiliate, director, officer,
                              ----------------                                 
employee or consultant of the Company owns any interest in any asset or property
(real or personal, tangible or intangible), business or contract used or
intended for use or otherwise relating to the business currently conducted or
proposed to be conducted by the Company or any Subsidiary except for such assets
or properties, the loss of which to the Company or its Subsidiaries would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.16  ERISA COMPLIANCE.

   (a) The Company and certain other persons or entities that, together with the
Company, are treated as single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (the Company and each
                                                    ----                        
such other person or entity, a "Commonly Controlled Entity"), maintain or
                                --------------------------               
contribute to "employee welfare benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(1) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) and
                                                                  -----       
other benefit plans for the benefit of any current or former employees, officers
or directors of the Company or dependents of any such person (collectively,
                                                                           
"Benefit Plans").  None of the following has occurred which has had, or
- --------------                                                         
reasonably would be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (A) any failure
to administer any Benefit Plan in accordance with its terms (B) any failure by
the Company or any Subsidiary or any Benefit Plan to comply, or any failure of
any Benefit Plan to be operated and administered in accordance with the
applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, (C) any "reportable event" or
"prohibited transaction" (as such terms are defined in ERISA and the Code), (D)
any termination of any Benefit Plan which results in a "reportable event," or
(E) the consummation of the transactions entered into pursuant to this Agreement
if such transactions result in a "reportable event."

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
   (b) None of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Commonly Controlled Entity has
any "employee pension benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) that
are subject to Title IV of ERISA (sometimes referred to herein as "Pension
                                                                   -------
Plans").
- -----

   (c) There have been no violations of ERISA or the Code that could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the filing of
applicable documents, notices or reports (including, without limitation, annual
reports filed on IRS Form 5500) relating to any Benefit Plan maintained by the
Company or any Commonly Controlled Entity with any Governmental Authority or the
furnishing of such required documents to the participants or beneficiaries of
such Benefit Plans.

   (d) Neither the Company nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has within the
five year period immediately preceding the date hereof maintained, contributed
to or been obligated to contribute to any Benefit Plan that is subject to Title
IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code.  Neither the Company nor any Commonly
Controlled Entity is required to contribute to any "multiemployer plan" (as
defined in Section 4001(a) (3) of ERISA) or has withdrawn from any multiemployer
plan where such withdrawal has resulted or would result in any "withdrawal
liability" (within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) that has not been fully
paid.

   (e) With respect to any Benefit Plan that is an employee welfare benefit
plan, except as disclosed in SCHEDULE 3.16(E), (i) no such Benefit Plan is
                             ----------------                             
funded through a "welfare benefits fund", as such term is defined in Section 419
(e) of the Code, (ii) each such Benefit Plan that is a "group health plan", as
such term is defined in Section 5000 (b)(1) of the Code, complies substantially
with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B(f) of the Code and 
(iii) except as provided in writing in such plan, there are no understandings,
agreements or undertakings, written or oral, that would prevent any such plan
(including any such plan covering retirees or other former employees) from being
amended or terminated without liability to the Company or any Subsidiary on or
at any time after the Effective Time.

   (f) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.16(F), no Benefit Plan that is a
                              ----------------                           
welfare benefit plan provides for post-retirement medical or life insurance
benefits coverage to any current or former employee, officer, or director of the
Company or any Subsidiary or any dependent of any such individual except as may
be required under Section 4980B of the Code.

   (g) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.16(G), no employee or director of the
                              ----------------                                
Company or any Subsidiary will be entitled to any additional compensation or
benefits or any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any
compensation or benefits under any Benefit Plan in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

   (h) All contributions due and payable in respect of any Benefit Plan have
been made in full and proper form, or adequate accruals have been provided for
in the financial statements for all other contributions or amounts in respect of
the Benefit Plans, or, in the case of any contributory Benefit Plan, amounts
have been contributed to such Benefit Plan within the time prescribed by the
Code, ERISA, or any regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof by the
Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Labor.

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
   (i) As of the Closing Date, there are no actions, suits, disputes,
arbitrations or claims pending (other than routine claims for benefits) or
legal, administrative or other proceedings or governmental investigations
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company and any Commonly Controlled Entity,
threatened against any Benefit Plan or against the assets of any Benefit Plan
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.17        TAXES.

   (a) The Company and each Subsidiary has filed all tax returns and reports
required to be filed by it (which returns are true and complete in all material
respects) and has paid all taxes due and required to be paid by it.  The most
recent financial statements contained in the SEC Documents that are publicly
available as of the date hereof reflect an adequate reserve for all taxes
payable by the Company or any Subsidiary for all taxable periods and portions
thereof through the date of such financial statements and there has been no tax
liability incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary since such date other than
in the ordinary course of business.  No deficiencies for any taxes which remain
outstanding have been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company or any
Subsidiary, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such taxes are
pending.  Except as disclosed in SCHEDULE 3.17(A), no income tax return of the
                                 ----------------                             
Company or any Subsidiary has been or is currently being examined by the United
States Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Entity.

   (b) SCHEDULE 3.17(B) sets forth the periods during which the Company's and
       ----------------                                                      
its Subsidiaries' Consolidated Federal net operating loss carryforwards (the
"NOL Carryforwards") arose and the expiration dates of the NOL Carryforwards,
identifies which portions thereof are currently limited under Section 382 of the
Code or the "separate return limitation year" ("SRLY") rules of the consolidated
                                                ----                            
return regulations, and, in the case of NOL Carryforwards currently limited
under Section 382 of the Code, the relevant Section 382 limitation (within the
meaning of Section 382(b) (1) of the Code).  As used in this Agreement, "taxes"
                                                                         ----- 
shall mean all Federal, state, local and foreign income, property, sales,
payroll, employment, excise, withholding and other taxes, tariffs or other
governmental charges in the nature of a tax as well as any interest, penalties
and additions to tax.

   (c) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.17(C), no amount that could be received
                              ----------------                                  
pursuant to the Benefit Plans or any executed and delivered agreements between
the Company or any Subsidiary and any officer, director or employee thereof in
effect as of the date hereof (whether in cash or property or the vesting of
property) as a result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
by any employee, officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary who is a
"disqualified individual" (as such term is defined in proposed Treasury
Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any employment, severance, change-in-control
or termination agreement, other compensation arrangement or Benefit Plan
currently in effect would be an "excess parachute payment" (as such term is
defined in Section 280G(b) (1) of the Code).  No disqualified individual is
entitled to receive any additional payment from the Company, any Subsidiary, the
Surviving Corporation, or any other person referred to in Q&A 10 under proposed
Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1 (a "Parachute Gross-Up Payment") in the
                                         --------------------------         
event that the 20 per cent parachute excise tax of Section 4999(a) of the Code
is imposed on such person.

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
   (d) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.17(D), neither the Board of Directors
                              ----------------                                
of the Company nor the Board of Directors of any Subsidiary has during the six
months prior to the date hereof (or in the case of a Subsidiary, if later, the
date of its acquisition by the Company) granted to any officer, director or
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary any right to receive any Parachute
Gross-Up Payment.

3.18  TITLE TO PROPERTIES; CONDITION OF ASSETS.

   (a) SCHEDULE 3.18(A) sets forth a true, correct and complete list, as of the
       ----------------                                                        
date hereof, by location of all of the real property owned by Company or any of
its Subsidiaries (the "Owned Property"), including the name of the owner
                       --------------                                   
thereof.  All Owned Property is located in the United States and, except as set
forth on SCHEDULE 3.18(A), is owned by the Company or one of its wholly owned
         ----------------                                                    
Subsidiaries free and clear of all Encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances.
There are no rights of first refusal or other options to purchase any parcel of
Owned Property or any portion or interest therein.

   (b) SCHEDULE 3.18(B) sets forth a true, correct and complete list, as of the
       ----------------                                                        
date hereof, by location of all of the real property leased by the Company or
any Subsidiary subject to one or more leases (the "Leased Property"), including
                                                   ---------------             
the names of the lessor and the lessee. The Company or such Subsidiary is the
owner and holder of all the leasehold estates purported to be granted by such
leases.

   (c) The Leased Property and the Owned Property constitute all real property
used or occupied by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

   (d) Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.18(D), the Company and each Subsidiary
                              ----------------                                 
has good and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its
material properties and assets except for such as are no longer used in the
conduct of its businesses or as have been disposed of in the ordinary course of
business.  All such assets and properties are free and clear of all Liens other
than those set forth in SCHEDULE 3.18(D) and except for Liens that, individually
                        ----------------                                        
or in the aggregate, do not interfere with the ability of the Company or any
Subsidiary to conduct its business as currently conducted and do not materially
adversely affect the value of, or the ability to sell such assets and
properties.

   (e) The material personal properties and assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries are in reasonably good repair and operating condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted and are sufficient for the conduct of the business of the
Company and Subsidiaries as presently conducted.

3.19  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

   (a) The Company and the Subsidiaries own or possess adequate licenses or
other rights to use all Intellectual Property Rights necessary to conduct the
business now operated by them, except where the failure to own or possess such
licenses or rights, individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of
the Company, the Intellectual Property Rights of the Company and the
Subsidiaries do not conflict with or infringe upon any Intellectual Property
Rights of others to the extent that, if sustained, such conflict or
infringement, individually or in the aggregate, 

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Intellectual Property Right" means any trademark, service mark,
                 ---------------------------
trade name, mask work, copyright, patent, software license, other data base,
invention, trade secret, know-how (including any registrations or applications
for registration of any of the foregoing) or any other similar type of
proprietary intellectual property right.

   (b) All information technology (including, without limitation, software and
firmware) presently expected to be used by the Company or by any Subsidiary
after December 31, 1999 in the administration and the operations of the Company
or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, including, without limitation, in all
services and products provided by the Company or any such Subsidiary, whether to
third parties or for internal use, or, to the knowledge of the Company after
reasonable investigation, used in combination with any information technology of
its customers or suppliers, and which is material to the conduct of the business
of the Company in the ordinary course of business , accurately processes or will
process date and time data (including, without limitation, calculating,
comparing and sequencing) from, into and between the years 1999 and 2000 and the
twentieth century and the twenty-first century, including leap year calculations
and neither performance nor functionality of such technology will be affected by
dates prior to, during and after the year 2000.  Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any material obligations under warranty agreements, service
agreements or otherwise to remedy any information technology defect relating to
the year 2000.

3.20  NON-COMPETE.

          Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.20, neither the Company nor any
                                 -------------                             
Subsidiary is subject to any agreement, covenant or understanding that restricts
the Company or any Subsidiary from entering or conducting any line of business
in any location at any time.

3.21  VOTING REQUIREMENTS.

          The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
Shares is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company's
capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement and the Merger.

3.22  STATE TAKEOVER STATUTES.

          The Board of Directors of the Company has approved and declared
advisable the Merger and this Agreement, and such approval is sufficient to
render inapplicable to the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL to the
extent, if any, such Section is applicable to the Merger, this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement.  No
other state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation applies or
purports to apply to the Merger, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

3.23  BROKERS.

          With the exception of fees payable to the Financial Advisor, a copy of
whose engagement agreement has been provided to the Investor, there is no
investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained
by or is authorized to act on behalf of, the Company 

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
or any Subsidiary who might be entitled to any fee or commission from the
Company or any Subsidiary or any of its affiliates upon consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.24  OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

          The Special Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company has
received the opinion of the Financial Advisor, addressed to the Special
Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company, dated the date of this
Agreement to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the
matters set forth therein, the consideration to be received and retained by
holders of Shares pursuant to the Merger is fair from a financial point of view
to such holders, and a copy of such opinion, signed and addressed to the
Company's Board, has been delivered to the Investor.

3.25  GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

   (a) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.25(A), neither the Company nor any
                              ----------------                             
Subsidiary is a party to any contract (i) with any local Governmental Entity
that may give rise to obligations or liabilities exceeding, prior to any renewal
thereof, $500,000 individually, or that may generate revenues or income
exceeding, prior to any renewal thereof, $500,000 individually, or (ii) with any
agency or instrumentality of the United States Government or any state
Governmental Entity.

   (b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (since the date of its acquisition
by the Company) has been suspended or debarred from bidding on contracts or
subcontracts for any agency or instrumentality of the United States Government
or any other Governmental Entity and, to the knowledge of the Company, no
suspension or debarment action has been threatened or commenced.  To the
knowledge of the Company, there is no valid basis for the Company's or any
Subsidiary's suspension or debarment from bidding on contracts or subcontracts
for any agency of the United States Government or any other Governmental Entity.

3.26  INSURANCE.

          SCHEDULE 3.26 accurately sets forth as of the day preceding the date
          -------------                                                       
hereof all policies of insurance, other than title insurance policies, held by
or on behalf of the Company and all outstanding claims thereunder in excess,
individually or in the aggregate, of $100,000.  All such policies of insurance
are in full force and effect, and no notice of cancellation has been received.
In the reasonable judgment of the Company, such policies are in amounts which
are adequate in relation to the business and properties of the Company, and all
premiums to date have been paid in full.

                                   ARTICLE IV

              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF INVESTOR AND NEWCO

          The Investor represents and warrants to the Company, with respect to
itself and Newco and, when formed in accordance with the terms hereof, Newco
represents and warrants to the Company, as follows:

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
4.1  ORGANIZATION.

          The Investor is, and Newco, from and after formation in accordance
with Section 1.1 (hereinafter, such formation shall be referred to as the
     -----------                                                         
"Formation"), will be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite
power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted.  The
Investor is and, from and after Formation, Newco will be, duly qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes
such qualifications or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions
where the failure to be so qualified or licensed (individually or in the
aggregate) could not be reasonably expected to either prevent or materially
delay the consummation of the Merger or impair its ability to perform its
obligations hereunder.  The Investor has made, and from and after Formation,
Newco will make available to the Company complete and correct copies of their
certificate of formation, operating agreement, certificate of incorporation and
by-laws, as amended to the date hereof.  From the date of its incorporation,
Newco shall not engage in any activities other than in connection with or as
contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger or in connection with or as
contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger or in connection with arranging
any financing required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.2  AUTHORITY.

          The Investor has, and Newco, from and after Formation, will have the
requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the
Stockholder Agreement, and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement.  The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Stockholder Agreement, have been (or, will be, in case of Newco) duly authorized
by all necessary action on the part of the Investor and Newco and no other
proceedings on the part of the Investor and Newco are (or, will be, in the case
of Newco) necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Stockholder Agreement or
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.  Each of this
Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement has been (or, will be, in the case of
Newco) duly executed and delivered by the Investor and Newco and constitutes
(or, will constitute, in the case of Newco) a valid and binding obligation of
the Investor and Newco enforceable against the Investor and Newco in accordance
with its terms.

4.3  CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS.

          Except for filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as
may be required under, and other applicable requirements of the Exchange Act,
applicable foreign and state securities or blue sky laws, the HSR Act, the DGCL
and state takeover laws, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement or the Stockholder Agreement by the Investor and Newco, nor the
consummation by the Investor and Newco of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of
the respective certificate of incorporation or formation or by-laws or operating
agreement, or comparable documents of the Investor and Newco, as the case may
be, (ii) require any filing with, notice to, or permit, authorization, consent
or approval of, any Governmental Entity (except 

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
where the failure to obtain such permits, authorizations, consents or approvals
or to make such filings would not reasonably be expected to prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the Merger), (iii) result in a violation or
breach of, require any notice to any party pursuant to, or constitute (with or
without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any
right of termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration) under, any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license,
lease, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the
Investor or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of
their properties or assets may be bound or (iv) violate any order, writ,
injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Investor, any
of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, except in the case of
clauses (iii) and (iv) for violations, breaches or defaults which could not,
individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to either prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the Merger or impair its ability to perform
its obligations hereunder.

4.4  INFORMATION SUPPLIED.

          None of the written information supplied or to be supplied by the
Investor or Newco specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as supplemented if necessary, and any other
documents to be filed by the Company with the SEC or any Governmental Entity in
connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will,
on the date of its filing or, with respect to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as
supplemented if necessary, on the date it is sent or given to stockholders or at
the time of the Special Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading.

4.5  CAPITALIZATION OF NEWCO; OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK.

   (a) The authorized capital stock of Newco will consist solely of (i) 1,000
shares of Newco Common Stock, of which there will be outstanding 100 shares and
(ii) 2,000,000 shares of Newco preferred stock, all of which will be outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time and will then be duly authorized,
validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.  Immediately prior to the
Effective Time will be no securities, options, warrants, calls, rights,
commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which Newco
is a party or by which it is bound obligating Newco to issue, deliver or sell,
or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or
other voting securities of Newco or obligating Newco to issue, grant, extend or
enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment,
agreement, arrangement or undertaking.  There are no outstanding obligations of
Newco to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of
Newco.

   (b) As of the date hereof, neither Investor nor Newco nor their respective
affiliates own, of record or beneficially, a number of Shares which, in the
aggregate, exceed 1% of the outstanding Shares on the date hereof and, without
the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, the
Investor shall not acquire or dispose of any Shares until after the Effective
Time except in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
4.6  FINANCING.

          The Investor will have available $200 million to purchase preferred
stock of Newco that that will be converted into shares of New Preferred Stock of
the Surviving Corporation pursuant to Section 2.4(b) hereof.
                                      --------------        

4.7  BROKERS.

          No broker, investment banker, financial advisor, finder or other
person is entitled to any brokerage, investment banker's, financial advisor's,
finder's or other fee or commission for which the Company will be liable in
connection with the execution of this Agreement by the Investor and Newco or the
performance by the Investor and Newco of their obligations hereunder, except as
otherwise set forth in this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS
5.1  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

          From the date hereof to the Effective Time, the Company shall, and
shall cause each Subsidiary to, carry on its business in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and use reasonable efforts to preserve intact its
current business organization, keep available the services of its current
officers and employees and preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, licensees and others having significant business dealings with it.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from the date hereof to the
Effective Time, the Company shall not and shall cause each Subsidiary not to
(except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or with the Investor's consent,
which consent will not be unreasonably withheld):

   (a) (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other
distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock (other than cash dividends
and distributions by a wholly-owned Subsidiary to the Company or to a Subsidiary
all of the capital stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by the
Company), (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for Shares of its capital stock, or (iii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any Shares or any capital stock of the Company or any other
securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares
or other securities;

   (b) issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares of its
capital stock, any other voting securities or any securities convertible into,
or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares, voting
securities or convertible securities, including any issuance of securities in
any mergers or acquisitions;

   (c) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or other comparable
charter or organizational documents (other than as contemplated by this
Agreement);

   (d) acquire or agree to acquire (i) by merging or consolidating with, or by
purchasing a substantial portion of the assets or stock of, or by any other
manner, any business or 

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
any person or (ii) any assets except for the purchase of equipment or other
assets in the ordinary course of business, including, without the Investor's
consent, any such acquisition or agreement pursuant to any letter of intent or
other arrangement pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party,
provided that the amount thereof does not exceed, individually or in the
- -------- ----
aggregate, $2,000,000, other than as set forth on SCHEDULE 5.1(D);
                                                  ---------------

   (e) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any
Lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets, except (i)
immaterial assets, (ii) in the ordinary course of business (including for trade-
ins) and (iii) where the amount of such sales does not exceed, individually or
in the aggregate, $2,000,000;

   (f) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
(i) incur any Indebtedness or guarantee any such Indebtedness of another Person,
issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any
debt securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, guarantee any debt securities
of another Person, enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any
financial statement condition of another person or enter into any arrangement
having the economic effect of any of the foregoing or (ii) make any loans,
advances (other than advances to Subsidiaries or among Subsidiaries) or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other Person;

   (g) make or agree to make any capital expenditure or expenditures with
respect to property, plant or equipment which, individually, is in excess of
$250,000 or is in excess of $1,500,000 per month, except in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice in order to satisfy actual or expected
contractual commitments to customers;

   (h) make any material tax election or settle or compromise any material
income tax liability;

   (i) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any material claims, liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or
otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their
terms, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the most recent
consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company included
in the SEC Documents or incurred thereafter in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or waive any material benefits of, or agree to
modify any confidentiality, standstill, non-solicitation or similar agreement to
which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party;

   (j) modify, amend in any material respect or terminate any Material Contract
to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party, or waive, release or assign
any material rights or claims (including any restrictions on transfer of Shares
issued or to be issued pursuant to Company Acquisitions except transfers
pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement), other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;

   (k) except as set forth in SCHEDULE 5.1(K), or as required to comply with
                              ---------------                               
applicable Law or with the Investor's consent, (i) adopt, enter into, terminate
or amend any Benefit Plan or other arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any
director, officer or current or former employee, other than, in the case of non-
officer or non-key employees, in the ordinary course of 

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
business consistent with past practice, (ii) increase in any manner the
compensation or fringe benefits of, or pay any bonus to, any director, officer
or key employee except pursuant to existing written agreements, (iii) pay any
material benefit not provided for under any Benefit Plan, (iv) except as
permitted in clause (ii), grant any awards under any bonus, incentive,
performance or other compensation plan or arrangement or Benefit Plan (including
the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock based or stock
related awards, performance units or restricted stock, or the removal of
existing restrictions in any Benefit Plans or agreement or awards made
thereunder), (v) accelerate the vesting of any Company Stock Option or (vi) take
any action to fund or in any other way secure the payment of compensation or
benefits under any employee plan, agreement, contract or arrangement or Benefit
Plan; or

   (l) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing
actions.

5.2  NO SOLICITATION.

   (a) The Company shall not and shall cause each Subsidiary and its
Subsidiaries' officers and directors not to, and each of the foregoing shall not
permit their respective agents, representatives, advisors or subsidiaries to
(whether directly or indirectly) (i) solicit, initiate or take any action
knowingly to facilitate the submission of inquiries, proposals or offers
                                                                        
("Acquisition Proposals") from any Third Party (as defined below) relating to
- -----------------------                                                      
(A) any acquisition or purchase of 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries or of over 20% of any class of equity securities of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) any tender offer (including a self
tender offer) or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Third
Party beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of equity securities of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (C) any merger, consolidation, business
combination, sale of substantially all assets, recapitalization, liquidation,
dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company, or any of its
Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute more
than 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company, other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or (D) any other transaction the consummation of
which would, or could reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent
or materially delay the Merger or which would, or could reasonably be expected
to, materially dilute the benefits to the Investor of the transactions
contemplated hereby (each of the foregoing items set forth in (A) through (D),
an "Alternative Transaction"), or agree to or endorse any Alternative
    -----------------------                                          
Transaction, or (ii) enter into or participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding any of the foregoing, or furnish to any Third Party any
information with respect to its business, properties or assets or any of the
foregoing, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, or knowingly assist or
participate in, facilitate or encourage, any effort or attempt by any Third
Party (other than the Investor) to do or seek any of the foregoing; provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Company (either directly or
indirectly through advisors, agents or other intermediaries) from (i) publicly
disclosing in a press release, in a general manner, the Company's permitted
activities hereunder, (ii) furnishing information pursuant to an appropriate
confidentiality letter (which letter shall not be less favorable to the Company
in any material respect than the Confidentiality Agreement, and a copy of which
shall be provided for informational purposes only to the Investor) concerning
the Company and its businesses, properties or assets to a Third Party who has
made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal, (iii) engaging in discussions or
negotiations with such a Third Party who has made a bona fide Acquisition
Proposal, (iv) following receipt of a bona fide Acquisition Proposal, taking and

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 or Rule
14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act or otherwise making disclosure to its
stockholders, (v) following receipt of a bona fide Acquisition Proposal, failing
to make or withdrawing or modifying its recommendation referred to in Section
1.6 and/or (vi) taking any non-appealable, final action ordered to be taken by
the Company by any court of competent jurisdiction but in each case referred to
in the foregoing clauses (ii) through (vi) only to the extent that the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have concluded in good faith after consultation
with outside counsel that such action is required to prevent the Board of
Directors of the Company from breaching its fiduciary duties to the stockholders
of the Company under applicable law; provided, further, that (A) the Board of
                                     --------  -------                       
Directors of the Company shall not take any of the foregoing actions until
reasonable notice to the Investor of its intent to take such action shall have
been given to Newco; and (B) if the Board of Directors of the Company receives
an Acquisition Proposal, to the extent it may do so without breaching its
fiduciary duties to stockholders as advised by counsel and as determined in good
faith, then the Company shall promptly inform the Investor of the terms and
conditions of such proposal and the identity of the person making it.  Subject
to the provisions of the previous sentence, the Company shall immediately cease
and cause its Subsidiaries and its and their advisors, agents and other
intermediaries to cease any and all existing activities, discussions or
negotiations with any Third Party (other than Newco) conducted heretofore with
respect to any of the foregoing, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause any such parties in possession of confidential information about the
Company that was furnished by or on behalf of the Company to return or destroy
all such information in the possession of any such Third Party (other than
Newco) or in the possession of any agent or advisor of any such Third Party.  As
used in this Agreement, the term "Third Party" means any Person or "group," as
                                  -----------                                 
described in Rule 13d-5(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act, other than Newco
or any of its affiliates.

   (b) Neither the Board of Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof
(including the Special Committee) shall (i) withdraw or modify, the approval or
recommendation by such Board of Directors or such committee of this Agreement or
the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, any Alternative Transaction, (iii) cause
the Company to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle,
acquisition agreement or other agreement or arrangement, including any
exclusivity agreement (an "Acquisition Agreement"), other than as permitted
                           ---------------------                           
pursuant to Section 5.2(a)(ii),  with respect to an Alternative Transaction or
            ------------------                                                
(iv) fail to call or hold the Special Meeting, unless the Board of Directors
determines in good faith after consultation with counsel and the Financial
Advisor that one of the foregoing actions is required under applicable law in
the exercise of the Board of Director's fiduciary duties to its stockholders,
the Company has complied and is in compliance with Section 5.2(a) and the
                                                   --------------        
Company has simultaneously with such action paid to the Investor the Termination
Fee and reimbursed all the Investor's Expenses.

5.3  CERTAIN TAX MATTERS.

          From the date hereof until the Effective Time, (i) the Company and
each Subsidiary will file all material tax returns and reports ("Post-Signing
                                                                 ------------
Returns") required to be filed; (ii) the Company and each Subsidiary will timely
- -------                                                                         
pay all taxes shown as due and payable on the Company's Post-Signing Returns
that are so filed; (iii) the Company and each Subsidiary will make provision for
all taxes payable by the Company for which no Post-Signing Return is due prior
to the Effective Time; and (iv) the Company will promptly notify the Investor of
any 

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
action, suit, proceeding, claim or audit pending against or with respect to
the Company and each Subsidiary in respect of any tax where there is a
reasonable possibility of a determination or decision which would reasonably be
expected to have a significant adverse effect on the Company's or any
Subsidiary's tax liabilities or tax attributes.

5.4  OTHER ACTIONS.

          The Company shall not, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to, take or
omit to take any action, the taking or omission of which would reasonably be
expected to result in (a) any of the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in this Agreement becoming untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect or (b) any of the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 not being
                                                           -----------          
satisfied (subject to the Company's right to take actions specifically permitted
by Section 5.1, Section 5.2 or Section 8.1).
   -----------  -----------    -----------  

5.5  ADVICE OF CHANGES; FILINGS.

          The Company shall confer with the Investor on a regular and frequent
basis as reasonably requested by the Investor, report on operational matters and
promptly advise the Investor orally and, if requested by the Investor, in
writing of any material change with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary.
The Company shall promptly provide to the Investor (or its counsel) copies of
all filings made by the Company or any Subsidiary with any Governmental Entity
in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.6  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

          The Company shall furnish to the Investor all documents filed with or
submitted to the SEC by the Company simultaneously with such filing or
submission.  The Company shall also furnish to the Investor the following
financial information (all to be prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied):

   (a) as soon as available but in any event within 30 days of each calendar
month, the unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and income
statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, showing its financial condition
as of the close of such month and the results of operations during such month
and for then elapsed portion of the Company's fiscal year, in each case, setting
forth, to the extent available, the comparative figures for the corresponding
month in the prior fiscal year, the corresponding elapsed portion of the prior
fiscal year and the budget amount for such month; and

   (b) as soon as practicable, but prior to March 31, 1999, an audit of the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1998 and for the fiscal year then ended, together with the audit
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

5.7  FINANCING.

          The Investor will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain on or
prior to the Termination Right Expiration Date, on behalf of Newco, (a) a
commitment letter from a reputable commercial bank providing for (i)  senior
bank financing to be used to pay a portion of 

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
the Cash Merger Price and the fees and expenses in connection with the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) a working
capital facility which can be used by the Surviving Corporation for its working
capital needs and to finance future acquisitions and/or (b) a highly confident
letter from a reputable investment bank with respect to the private placement or
public offering of subordinated debt securities, each containing terms and
conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Investor and the Company, in an
aggregate amount equal to $440 million and in such proportions as the Investor
shall reasonably determine (the letters to be obtained pursuant to this 
Section 5.7, the "Financing Letters").
- ------- ---       -----------------

5.8  MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEE STOCKHOLDERS.

   (a) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each
of the persons set forth on SCHEDULE 5.8 to execute and deliver as promptly as
                            ------------                                      
practicable after the date hereof a Stockholder Agreement in substantially the
form set forth in EXHIBIT 5.8.
                  ----------- 

   (b) The Company shall comply with all applicable securities Laws in
performing its obligations under this Section 5.8.
                                      ----------- 
5.9         UPDATE TO SCHEDULES

          From and after the date hereof until the 30th day after the date
hereof, the Company shall be entitled to modify, amend or supplement the
schedules referred to in Article III of this Agreement.
                         -----------                   

                                   ARTICLE VI

                             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

6.1  PREPARATION OF PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS; SCHEDULE 13E-3.

   (a) The Company shall, as soon as practicable, prepare and file a preliminary
Proxy Statement/Prospectus with the SEC, reasonably satisfactory to the
Investor, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to respond to any
comments of the SEC and its staff and to cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to
be declared effective and mailed to the Company's stockholders as promptly as
practicable after responding to all such comments to the satisfaction of the SEC
or its staff.  The Company will notify the Investor promptly of the receipt of
any comments from the SEC or its staff and of any request by the SEC or its
staff for amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or for
additional information and will supply the Investor with copies of all
correspondence between the Company or any of its representatives, on the one
hand, and the SEC or its staff, on the other hand, with respect to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or the Merger.  If at any time prior to the Stockholders
Meeting there shall occur any event that should be set forth in an amendment or
supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Company will promptly prepare
and mail to its stockholders such an amendment or supplement.  The Company will
not mail any Proxy Statement/Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
to which the Investor reasonably objects, unless required by law, rule,
regulation or the SEC staff, in the opinion of outside counsel; provided, that
                                                                --------      
the Investor shall identify its objections and fully cooperate with the Company
to create a mutually satisfactory Proxy Statement/Prospectus.  In connection
with such preliminary Proxy 

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
Statement/Prospectus, Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
thereto, the Investor and, from and after formation, Newco shall promptly
provide all information reasonably requested by the Company.

   (b) If, in the opinion of Company's counsel, after consultation with counsel
to the Investor, the filing with the SEC of a Transaction Statement on Schedule
13E-3 (the "Schedule 13E-3") in connection with the Merger is required by Rule
            --------------                                                    
13e-3 under the Exchange Act, the Company will file the Schedule 13E-3 at the
time of filing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.  If the Schedule 13E-3 is
filed, at the time of any amendment to the Proxy Statement, the parties will
cause to be filed with the SEC an appropriate amendment to the Schedule 13E-3.

6.2  ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.

          The Company and its Subsidiaries shall afford to the Investor, and to
the Investor's officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisers and
other representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours from the
date hereof to the Effective Time to all their respective properties, books,
contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period, the
Company shall furnish promptly to the Investor (a) a copy of each report,
schedule, registration statement and other document filed by it during such
period pursuant to the requirements of Federal or state securities laws and (b)
all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as the
Investor may reasonably request.  The Investor will hold, and will cause its
officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisers and other
representatives and Affiliates to hold, any and all information received from
the Company, directly or indirectly, in confidence, according to the terms of
the confidentiality agreement dated as of November 11, 1998, between the Company
and an affiliate of the Investor (the "Confidentiality Agreement").
                                       -------------------------   

6.3  REASONABLE EFFORTS; NOTIFICATION.

   (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
each of the parties agrees to use all commercially reasonable efforts to take,
or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist
and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner
practicable, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including (i) the obtaining of all necessary actions or non-actions,
waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Entities and the making of all
necessary registrations and filings (including filings with Governmental
Entities, if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary to
obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any
Governmental Entity, (ii) the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or
waivers from third parties, (iii) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal
proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or
the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any
court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed, (iv) the execution and
delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated by, and to fully carry out the purposes of, this Agreement, (v)
reasonably cooperating with all potential sources of financing to the Investor
and Newco in 


                                      37
<PAGE>
 
connection with the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary or
advisable to consummate one or more financing transactions with such potential
sources of financing, including participating in "road shows" with respect to
the issuance of securities in one or more private placements or transactions
registered under the Securities Act and (vi) if necessary to obtain
recapitalization accounting treatment of the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by that Agreement, restructuring the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. In connection with and without limiting the
foregoing, the Company and its Board of Directors shall (i) take all action
necessary to ensure that no state takeover statute or similar statute or
regulation is or becomes applicable to the Merger, this Agreement, the
Stockholder Agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stockholder Agreement and (ii) if any state takeover statute or
similar statute or regulation becomes applicable to the Merger, this Agreement,
the Stockholder Agreement or any other transaction contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stockholder Agreement, take all action reasonably necessary to
ensure that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this
Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on
the Merger, this Agreement, the Stockholder Agreement and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stockholder Agreement. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to require the Investor to dispose of or hold separate
any asset or collection of assets.

   (b) The Company shall give prompt notice to the Investor of (i) any
representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement becoming
untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or (ii) the failure by it or any
Subsidiary to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it or any Subsidiary
under this Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall affect
                      --------  -------                                        
the representations, warranties, covenants or agreement of the parties or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement.

   (c) The Investor shall give prompt notice to the Company of (i) any
representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement becoming
untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or (ii) the failure by it to comply
with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to
be complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement, or any material
adverse development with respect to the financing contemplated by Section 5.7;
                                                                  ----------- 
provided, however, that no such notification shall affect the representations,
- --------  -------                                                             
warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties under this Agreement.

6.4  FEES AND EXPENSES.

   (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such fees or
expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.

   (b) If a Payment Event (as hereinafter defined) shall occur (i) prior to the
earlier to occur of the Termination Right Expiration Date and the time that the
Investor notifies the 

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
Company in writing that it waives its right to terminate this Agreement under
Section 8.1(j) and (ii) prior to the time that the Investor delivers to the
- --------------
Company copies of the Financing Letters, then, within two business days
following such Payment Event, the Company shall pay to the Investor a fee in an
amount equal to one half of the Termination Fee and shall reimburse the Investor
for up to $3 million of the Investor's Expenses not previously reimbursed.

   (c) If a Payment Event shall occur at any other time, then, within two
business days following such Payment Event, the Company shall pay to the
Investor a fee in an amount equal to the Termination Fee and shall reimburse the
Investor for up to $3 million of the Investor's Expenses not previously
reimbursed.

   (d) If an Expense Reimbursement Event shall occur at any time, then, within
two business days following such Expense Reimbursement Event, the Company shall
reimburse the Investor for up to $3 million of the Investor's Expenses not
previously reimbursed; provided that if such Expense Reimbursement Event is
                       --------                                            
pursuant to Section 8.1(b) or Section 8.1(c), then the Company shall reimburse
            --------------    --------------                                  
the Investor for 50% of the Investor's Expenses.

   (e) For purposes of this Agreement, "Termination Fee" shall mean $25 million.
                                        ---------------                         
   (f) For purposes of this Agreement, "Investor's Expenses" shall mean all out-
                                        -------------------                    
of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by or on
behalf of the Investor in connection with the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Indebtedness
incurred in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

   (g) For purposes of this Agreement, "Payment Event" shall mean any of the
                                        -------------                       
following shall have occurred:

         (i) this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section
                                                                   -------
     8.1(g) or Section 8.1(h); or
     ------    --------------    

         (ii) this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section
                                                                    -------
     8.1(d) or Section 8.1(e)(ii) (in a situation in which the breach of
     ------    ------------------                                       
     covenant fundamentally affects (A) the viability or the consummation of the
     Merger or (B) the benefits expected by the Investor at the Effective Time
     from the transactions contemplated hereby) and, prior to the earlier of
     nine months after such termination and December 31, 1999, the Company shall
     have entered into an agreement or arrangement providing for an Alternative
     Transaction for a higher value per Share to the stockholders of the
     Company.

   (h) For purposes of this Agreement, "Expense Reimbursement Event" shall mean
                                        ---------------------------            
that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1 (other than pursuant
                                              -----------                     
to Section 8.1(a), Section 8.1(i), Section 8.1(j), Section 8.1(k),  Section
   --------------  --------------  --------------  ---------------- -------
8.1(l) or Section 8.1(m)).
- -------   --------------  

   (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if
this Agreement shall have been terminated for any reason and at the time of
termination, this Agreement could have been terminated pursuant to more than one
subsection of Section 8.1, then the Investor shall be entitled to choose which
              -----------                                                     
such subsection this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to.

                                      39
<PAGE>
 
   (j) The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section
                                                                      -------
6.4 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
- ---                                                                            
that, without these agreements, the Investor would not enter into this
Agreement.  Accordingly, if the Company fails to pay the Termination Fee or the
Investor's Expenses and, in order to obtain such payment, the Investor commences
a suit which results in a judgment against the Company for the Termination Fee
and/or the Investor's Expenses, the Company shall pay to the Investor all costs
and expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by or on behalf of
the Investor in connection with such suit, together with interest on the amount
of the Termination Fee and the Investor's Expenses that are the subject of such
judgment at the prime rate of the Bankers Trust Company in effect on the date
such payment was required to be made.

6.5  DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY.

   (a) For a period of 6 years after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless the present and former officers
and directors of the Company in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to
the Effective Time to the extent provided under the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws in effect on the date hereof; provided
                                                                      --------
that such indemnification shall be subject to any limitation imposed from time
- ----                                                                          
to time under applicable Law.  For a period of 6 years after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall provide officers' and directors' liability
insurance in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time
covering each such Person currently covered by the Company's officers' and
directors' liability insurance policy on terms with respect to coverage and
amount no less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date hereof
(or, if such insurance policy cannot be obtained, such insurance policy on terms
with respect to coverage and amount as favorable as can be obtained, subject to
the proviso at the conclusion of this sentence), provided that in satisfying its
                                                 -------- ----                  
obligation under this Section, the Company shall not be obligated to cause the
Surviving Corporation to pay premiums in excess of 150% of the amount per annum
the Company paid in its last full fiscal year, which amount has been disclosed
to the Investor.

   (b) In furtherance of and not in limitation of the preceding paragraph, the
Investor agrees that the officers and directors of the Company that are
defendants in all litigation commenced by stockholders of the Company with
respect to (i) the performance of their duties as such officers and/or directors
under federal or state law (including litigation under federal and state
securities laws) and (ii) the Merger, including, without limitation, any and all
such litigation commenced on or after the date of this Agreement (the "Subject
                                                                       -------
Litigation") shall be entitled to be represented, at the reasonable expenses of
- ----------                                                                     
the Company, in any Subject Litigation by one counsel (and Delaware counsel if
appropriate and one local counsel in each jurisdiction in which a case is
pending) each of which counsel shall be selected by a plurality of such director
defendants; provided that the Company shall not be liable for any settlement
            -------- ----                                                   
effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld) and that a condition to the indemnification payments
provided in Section 6.5(a) shall be that such officer/director defendant not
            --------------                                                  
have settled any Subject Litigation without the consent of the Surviving
Corporation (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) and, prior to the
Effective Time, the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld);
and provided, further, that the Surviving Corporation shall not have any
    --------  -------                                                   
obligation hereunder to any officer/director defendant when and if a court of
competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination 


                                      40
<PAGE>
 
shall have become final and non-appealable, that indemnification of such
officer/director defendant in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by
applicable law.

6.6  NASDAQ LISTING.

          Neither the Company nor the Investor will take any affirmative action
(other than the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement), for at least three years after the Effective
Time of the Merger, to cause the Company's Common Stock to be de-listed from The
NASDAQ National Market System ("NASDAQ") unless such action is approved by a
                                ------                                      
majority of the directors of the Company who at the time of such decision and
were directors of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided,
                                                                       -------- 
however, that the Company may cause or permit the Company's Common Stock to be
de-listed if the Company's Common Stock ceases to be registered under Section 12
of the Exchange Act.

6.7  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.

          The Investor and, from and after formation, Newco, on the one hand,
and the Company, on the other hand, will consult with each other before issuing,
and provide each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any press
release or other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and shall not issue any such press release or make any such
public statement without the prior consent of the other party, except as may be
required by applicable Law.

6.8  STOP TRANSFER.

          The Company shall not register the transfer of any certificate
representing any Subject Shares (as defined in the Stockholder Agreement),
unless such transfer is made to the Investor or Newco or otherwise in compliance
with the Stockholder Agreement.  The Company will inscribe upon any certificates
representing Subject Shares submitted by a Stockholder (as defined in the
Stockholder Agreement) for such purpose the following legend:

"THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF [TARGET] CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY") REPRESENTED
                                                          -------              
BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF DECEMBER
__, 1998, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE
THEREWITH.  COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
OFFICES OF THE COMPANY."

6.9  FURTHER ASSURANCES.

          After the Effective Time, the officers and directors of the Surviving
Corporation will be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf
of the Company or Newco, any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances and
to take and do, in the name and on behalf of the Company or Newco, any other
actions and things to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the
Surviving Corporation any and all right, title and interest in, to and under any
of 

                                      41
<PAGE>
 
the rights, properties or assets of the Company acquired or to be acquired by
the Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                   CONDITIONS

7.1  CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER.

          The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction or waiver, where permissible, prior to the Effective
Time, of the following conditions:

   (a) The Company Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained as required by
and in accordance with applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

   (b) No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree or injunction shall
have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any court or Governmental
Entity that prohibits or restricts the consummation of the Merger or makes such
consummation illegal (each party agreeing to use commercially reasonable efforts
to have any such prohibition lifted).

   (c) The waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the
HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.

   (d) The Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or an alternative form prescribed
by the SEC) shall have been declared effective and shall not be the subject of
any stop order and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or
threatened by the SEC, unless the parties shall have mutually determined that
registration under the Securities Act is not required with respect to the
Merger.

   (e) All consents, approvals and licenses of any Governmental Entity required
in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
for the Surviving Corporation to conduct the business of the Company in
substantially the manner now conducted, shall have been obtained, unless the
failure to obtain such consents, authorizations, orders or approvals would not
have a Material Adverse Effect after giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

   (f) The conditions set forth in the Financing Letters shall have been
satisfied or waived and the funding referred to therein shall be available to
Newco on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Investor and the Company.

   (g) The Company and the Investor shall have executed and delivered a
registration rights agreement in respect of the New Preferred Stock containing
the relative rights, terms, limitations and preferences set forth in EXHIBIT
                                                                     -------
1.4(A), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investor and the
- ------                                                                       
Company.

                                      42
<PAGE>
 
7.2  CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER.

          The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the satisfaction or waiver, prior to the proposed Effective Time, of the
following conditions:  All of the representations and warranties of the Investor
and Newco set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects (except for those representations and warranties that are qualified as
to materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date
hereof and (except for those that are expressly made only as of another date) as
of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such time, and the Investor
and Newco shall have performed in all material respects all covenants and
agreements required to be performed by then under this Agreement at or prior to
the Effective Time and the Company shall have received a certificate signed by
an executive officer of the Investor to the foregoing effect.

7.3  CONDITIONS TO THE INVESTOR'S AND NEWCO'S OBLIGATIONS TO EFFECT THE MERGER.

          The obligations of the Investor and Newco to effect the Merger shall
be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Investor and Newco, prior to the
proposed Effective Time, of the following conditions:

   (a) All of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
this Agreement, shall be true and correct in all material respects (except for
those representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality, which
shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date hereof and (except for
those that are expressly made only as of another date) as of the Effective Time
as though made on and as of such time, and the Company shall have performed in
all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed by
it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time and the Investor shall
have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of the Company to the
foregoing effect.

   (b) None of the following shall have occurred and then be continuing (i) any
general suspension of trading in, or limitation on prices for, securities on the
New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ, (ii) a declaration of a banking
moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United
States or any limitation by federal or state authorities on the extension of
credit by lending institutions, or a disruption of or material adverse change in
either the syndication market for credit or subordinated debt facilities or the
financial, banking or capital markets or (iii) in the case of any of the
foregoing existing as of the date hereof, a material acceleration or worsening
thereof.

   (c) All notices required to be given prior to the Effective Time with, and
all consents, approvals, authorizations, waivers and amendments required to be
obtained prior to the Effective Time from, any third party in connection with
the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, have been made and/or obtained.

   (d) The Investor shall be satisfied, based on advice from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that the Merger will qualify for recapitalization
accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

                                      43
<PAGE>
 
   (e) The Investor shall have been provided with a certificate from an officer
of the Company certifying that the conditions precedent to the Investor's
obligations set forth in this Section shall have been satisfied.

   (f) The Investor shall have been provided with an opinion of Morgan, Lewis &
Bockius, counsel to the Company, in substantially the form attached hereto as
                                                                             
EXHIBIT 7.3(G).
- -------------- 

   (g) The holders of no more than 3% of the outstanding Shares shall have
validly elected to demand the appraisal of their Shares pursuant to Section 262
of the DGCL.
                                  ARTICLE VIII

                           TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
8.1  TERMINATION.

          This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time, whether before or after approval of the terms of this Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company as follows:

   (a) By mutual written consent of the Investor and the Company.

   (b) By either the Investor or the Company if the Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or before the 180th day immediately following the date hereof
(the "Outside Date"); provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under
      ------------    -------- ----                                            
this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill
     --------------                                                             
any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the
failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before such date.

   (c) By either the Investor or the Company if any Governmental Entity shall
have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such order,
decree or ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable.

   (d) By either the Investor or the Company if the Company Stockholder Approval
is not obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote upon a vote
held at a duly called meeting of stockholders or at any adjournment thereof.

   (e) By the Investor, if (i) any of the representations and warranties of the
Company contained in this Agreement shall fail to be true and correct in any
material respect, in each case either as of the date hereof or have since become
untrue in any material respect or (ii) the Company shall have breached or failed
to comply in any material respect with any of its obligations under this
Agreement, and such failure to be true and correct, breach or failure shall
continue unremedied for 15 days after the Company has received written notice
from the Investor of the occurrence of such failure to be true and correct,
breach or failure; provided, however, that in remedying any such failure to be
                   --------  -------                                          
true and correct, breach or failure the Company shall not have spent any money,
incurred any liabilities or undertaken any obligations that, individually or
together with the breach or failure so remedied, would itself constitute a

                                      44
<PAGE>
 
material breach of or failure to perform any representation, warranty or
covenant of this Agreement.

   (f) By the Investor if there shall have occurred any material adverse change
since the date of the audited financial statements included in the most recently
publicly available SEC Documents.

   (g) By the Investor if the Board of Directors of the Company shall have
withdrawn or modified or amended, in a manner adverse to the Investor, its
approval or recommendation of this Agreement and the Merger or its
recommendation that stockholders of the Company adopt and approve this Agreement
and the Merger, or approved, recommended or endorsed any proposal for an
Alternative Transaction or if the Company has failed to call the Company
Stockholders Meeting or failed to hold the Special Meeting prior to the Outside
Date or failed to include in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus the recommendation
referred to above;

   (h) By the Company if prior to the Effective Time the Board of Directors of
the Company shall have withdrawn or modified or amended, in a manner adverse to
the Investor, its approval or recommendation of this Agreement and the Merger or
its recommendation that stockholders of the Company adopt and approve this
Agreement and the Merger in order to permit the Company to execute a definitive
agreement providing for an Alternative Transaction; provided that, in any such
                                                    -------- ----             
case, (i) the Company has complied and is in compliance with Section 5.2, (ii)
                                                             -----------      
in the case of any Acquisition Proposal, prior to being entitled to terminate
this Agreement under this Section 8.1(h), the Company shall have provided to the
                          --------------                                        
Investor at least 7 days prior written notice (which notice shall set forth the
terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal and identify the applicable
Third Party), the Company shall have cooperated with the Investor during such 7
day period with the intent of enabling the Investor (if it so desires) and the
Company to agree to a modification of the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and (iii) the Company shall have paid to the Investor the Termination Fee and
reimbursed all of the Investor's Expenses;

   (i) By the Company if (i) any of the representations and warranties of the
Investor or Newco contained in this Agreement shall fail to be true and correct
in any material respect, in each case either as of the date hereof or have since
become, and at the time of termination remain, untrue in any material respect,
or (ii) the Investor or Newco shall have breached or failed to comply in any
material respect with any of its obligations under this Agreement (other than as
a result of a breach by the Company of any of its obligations under this
Agreement) and such failure to be true and correct, breach or failure shall
continue unremedied for 15 days after the Investor or Newco has received written
notice from the Company of the occurrence of such breach or failure.

   (j) By the Investor at any time prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on
the 45th day immediately following the date of this Agreement (the "Termination
                                                                    -----------
Right Expiration Date") if, at the time of termination, the Investor (based on
- ---------------------                                                         
input from its financial advisors, sources of financing, accountants, counsel,
consultants and other representatives) is not satisfied with the results of its
due diligence review of the Company based on factors that a reasonably prudent
investor in the Investor's position would consider appropriate to evaluate
whether to pursue the transactions contemplated hereby.  Without limiting the
foregoing, the Investor shall 

                                      45
<PAGE>
 
be entitled, in the exercise of this termination right, to consider the extent
to which members of management of the Company and its Subsidiaries are likely to
maintain a sufficient level investment in the equity of the Company, after
giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Stockholder
Agreement and the proration set forth in
                                                                          
Section 2.3.
- ----------- 
   (k) By the Investor at any time after the Termination Right Expiration Date
if at the time of termination:

         (i) The Investor shall not be satisfied with the result of the
     Company's effort to obtain executed and delivered Stockholders Agreements
     from members of management of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

         (ii) The Investor shall not have obtained the Financing Letters; or

   (l) By the Company at any time after the Termination Right Expiration Date
if, at the time of termination Newco shall not have obtained the Financing
Letters.

   (m) By the Investor, within 10 days of receipt of the audited financial
statements prepared pursuant to Section 5.6(b), if the Investor shall have
                                --------------                            
received such audited financial statements more than 35 days after the date
hereof and shall not be reasonably satisfied that such financial statements are
consistent with the information provided to the Investor with respect to the
Company's and its Subsidiaries' financial performance and condition.

8.2  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

          In the event of a termination of this Agreement by either the Company
or the Investor as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith
                               -----------                                
become void and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of the
Investor, Newco or the Company or their respective officers, directors or
Affiliates, except that Section 6.2, Section 6.4, Section 8.1, this Section 8.2
                        -----------  -----------  -----------       -----------
and Article IX shall survive any such termination and except that nothing herein
    ----------                                                                  
shall relieve any party for liability for any breach hereof.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
9.1  AMENDMENT.

          To the extent permitted by applicable Law, this Agreement may be
amended by action taken by or on behalf of the Investor and the Board of
Directors of the Company at any time before or after obtaining Company
Stockholder Approval; provided that any amendment made after obtaining Company
                      -------- ----                                           
Stockholder Approval, shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the
Company, (a) alter or change the amount or kind of Merger Consideration, (b)
alter or change any term of the Certificate of Incorporation, (c) alter or
change any term of the terms and conditions of this Agreement if such alteration
or change would adversely affect the rights of the Company's stockholders
hereunder.  This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of all of the parties.


                                      46
<PAGE>
 
9.2  EXTENSION; WAIVER.

          At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties hereto, by action
taken or authorized by their respective Boards of Directors, may, to the extent
legally allowed, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto or (iii) subject to Section 9.1, waive
                                                       -----------       
compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein.  Any
agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such party.
The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under
this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of those rights.

9.3  NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.

          None of the representations, warranties or covenants (subject to the
succeeding sentence) in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant
to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time.  This Section 9.3 shall not
                                                          -----------          
limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms contemplates
performance after the Effective Time of the Merger.

9.4  NOTICES.

          All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied (which is confirmed),
sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) or mailed by registered
or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the parties at the following
addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):

     if to the Investor or Newco, to

     Boss Investment LLC
     c/o Apollo Management, L.P.
     1301 Avenue of the Americas, 38th Floor
     New York, New York 10019
     Attention:  Mr. Andrew Africk
     Telecopy No.: (212) 261-4102

     with a copy to:

     O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell, LLP
     30 Rockefeller Plaza, 41st Floor
     New York, NY 10112
     Attention: John J. Suydam, Esq.
     Telecopy No.: (212) 408-2420

     and

                                      47
<PAGE>
 
     if to the Company, to

     Building One Services Corporation
     800 Connecticut Avenue, NW
     Suite 1111
     Washington, DC 20006
     Attention:  Jonathan J. Ledecky
     Telecopy:  (202) 261-6020

     and

     Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
     1701 Market Street
     Philadelphia, PA 19103
     Attention:  N. Jeffrey Klauder
     Telecopy No.: (215) 963-5299

     and

     Dechert, Price & Rhoads
     4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
     1717 Arch Street
     Philadelphia, PA 19103
     Attention:  Henry N. Nassau
     Telecopy No.:  (215) 994-2222

9.5  INTERPRETATION.

          When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or a Section,
such reference shall be to an Article or a Section of this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated.  The table of contents and headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Unless the context otherwise
requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa.
Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are used in this
                    -------    --------      ---------                  
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
                                                             -------
limitation".  The phrase "made available" in this Agreement shall mean that the
- ----------                --------------                                       
information referred to has been made available if requested by the party to
whom such information is to be made available.  As used in this Agreement, the
term "subsidiary" of any person means another person, an amount of the voting
      ----------                                                             
securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which is
sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of Directors or other
governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of the
equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first person.
As used in this Agreement, "Material Adverse Effect" means, when used in respect
                            -----------------------                             
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, any effect or condition that, individually
or in the aggregate with any other effect or condition, is materially adverse to
the assets, properties, business, financial condition or results of operations
of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.  As used in this
Agreement, "material adverse change" means, when used in respect of the Company
            -----------------------                                            
and its Subsidiaries, any change or event that, individually or in the aggregate
with any other change or 

                                      48
<PAGE>
 
event, is materially adverse to the assets, properties, business, financial
condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, but
excluding (i) any change resulting from general economic conditions and (ii) a
failure of the Company's earnings per Share for the fiscal quarter ending
December 31, 1998 (without giving effect to any charges, accruals or
extraordinary items arising from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
the transactions contemplated hereby) to equal or exceed 85% of the consensus
estimate of the Company's earnings per share for such period as of the date
immediately preceding the date hereof; provided, however, that the failure of
                                       --------  -------
any facts or circumstances that constitute a material adverse change shall not
affect in any way the Investor's rights pursuant to Section 8.1(j). As used in
                                                    --------------            
this Agreement, except where expressly indicated otherwise, the phrase
"knowledge" with respect to the Company, means to the actual knowledge, after
- -----------
due inquiry (i.e., the amount of inquiry that would be undertaken by a
             ---
reasonably prudent business person given like facts and circumstances) of (x)
prior to the Termination Right Expiration Date, any of the following officers of
the Company or any of their successors: Jonahan J. Ledecky, Timothy C. Clayton,
David Ledecky, F. Traynor Beck and William P. Love, Jr. and (y) after the
Termination Right Expiration Date the Company, its Subsidiaries, each of the
Company's directors and officers and the President of each Subsidiary. As used
in this Agreement, the term "person" shall be interpreted broadly and shall
include any person, individual, corporation, limited partnership, limited
liability company, trust, association or other entity or business organization
of any kind or division thereof.

9.6  ENTIRE AGREEMENT; THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.

          This Agreement (a) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and (b) is not intended to confer
upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder,
except for the provisions of Section 6.5.
                             ----------- 

9.7  GOVERNING LAW.

          This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware.

9.8  COUNTERPARTS.

          This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of
which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective
when two or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and
delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not
sign the same counterpart.

9.9  ASSIGNMENT.

          Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations
hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation
of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties.
Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors
and assigns.


                                      49
<PAGE>
 
9.10 ENFORCEMENT.

          The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event
that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance
with their specific terms or were otherwise breached.  It is accordingly agreed
that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent
breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions
of this Agreement in any court of the United States located in the State of
Delaware or in a Delaware state court, this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.  In addition, each of the
parties hereto (i) consents to submit such party to the personal jurisdiction of
any Federal court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court
in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby, (ii) agrees that such party will not attempt to deny or
defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any
such court, (iii) agrees that such party will not bring any action relating to
this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby in any court other
than a Federal court sitting in the state of Delaware or a Delaware state court
and (iv) waives any right to trial by jury with respect to any claim or
proceeding related to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby.


                                      50
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as
of the date first written above.

                              BOSS INVESTMENT LLC


                              By:  _____________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

                              BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION


                              By:  _____________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:
                                
                                      51
<PAGE>
                                                                           DRAFT
 

                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                         dated as of December __, 1998

                                SCHEDULE 5.1(k)


                        CERTAIN MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO
                              OPTIONS AND BONUSES
                              -------------------

(ii) The Company may pay bonuses to certain corporate level employees in an
     aggregate amount not to exceed the amount that the Company has accrued for
     such purpose ($1,500,000.00); also, the Subsidiaries may pay bonuses (which
     have been properly accrued) to their employees pursuant to existing bonus
     arrangements and in the ordinary course of business; the Company shall, on
     the Effective Date, grant Jonathan J. Ledecky options to purchase 750,000
     shares of common stock of the Company and shall grant to each of David
     Ledecky, Timothy C. Clayton and F. Traynor Beck options to purchase 250,000
     shares of common stock of the Company, in each case with an exercise price
     equal to $25.00 per share.

(iv) 500,000 Company Stock Options held by each of David Ledecky, Timothy C. 
     Clayton and F. Traynor Beck with an exercise price of $20.00 per share
     (1,500,000 options total) shall be accelerated and cashed out at the
     Effective Time at a price of $25.00 per share, less the exercise price
     thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in lieu of accelerating all such options 
              --------  -------
     and in lieu of the grant discussed in (ii) above, the Company may, at the
     Effective Time, (i) accelerate and cash out 250,000 Company Stock Options
     held by such individuals in accordance with the foregoing terms; (ii) pay
     each of such individuals $1,250,000.00 in cash in return for such
     individuals waiving their rights to have all such options accelerate and
     (iii) amend each of such individuals options to purchase 250,000 shares of
     common stock of the Company to provide for an exercise price of $25.00 per
     share; Company Stock Options granted to other employees of the Company and
     its Subsidiaries may be accelerated and cashed out at the Effective Time at
     a price of $25.00 per share, less the exercise price thereof so that 50% of
     each such other employee's options will be vested, including options that
     have vested before such acceleration (it being understood that the options
     shall be accelerated temporarily in accordance with the vesting schedule).























     
<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY


                        STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT among BOSS INVESTMENT LLC, a
                  Delaware limited liability company (the "Investor"), and the
                                                           --------           
                  individuals identified on Schedule I attached hereto (each, a
                                            ----------                         
                  "Stockholder" and collectively, the "Stockholders").
                   -----------                         ------------   

          WHEREAS, the Investor and Building One Services Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of
                           -------                                              
Merger to be dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be amended or
supplemented, the "Merger Agreement"), providing for the merger with and into
                   ----------------                                          
the Company of a corporation to be formed and wholly owned by the Investor (the
"Merger"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger
 ------                                                                        
Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.  Capitalized terms
                                                 ---------                    
used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto
in the Merger Agreement.

          WHEREAS, each Stockholder owns (i) the number of SHARES set forth
opposite his or its name in column 1 on Schedule I, (ii) COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS
                                        ----------                            
exercisable into the number of Shares set forth opposite his or its name in
column 2 on Schedule I and (iii) WARRANTS exercisable into the number of Shares
            ----------                                                         
set forth opposite his or its name in column 3 on Schedule I (such Shares,
                                                  ----------              
Company Stock Options and Warrants, and the Shares underlying such Company Stock
Options and Warrants, are collectively referred to as the "Subject Shares").
                                                           --------------   

          WHEREAS, as a condition to its willingness to enter into the Merger
Agreement, the Investor has requested that each Stockholder enter into this
Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, to induce the Investor to enter into, and in
consideration of its entering into, the Merger Agreement, and in consideration
of the premises and the representations, warranties and agreements contained
herein, the parties agree as follows:

   1.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH STOCKHOLDER.
        -------------------------------------------------- 
              Each Stockholder hereby represents and warrants, severally and not
jointly, to the Investor as follows:

   (a) AUTHORITY.  Such Stockholder has all requisite power and authority to
       ---------                                                            
enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such
Stockholder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Stockholder.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Stockholder and
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Stockholder enforceable
against such Stockholder in accordance with its terms.  Except for the
expiration or termination of the waiting periods under the HSR ACT,
informational filings with the SEC, and compliance with any applicable state
securities laws, the execution and delivery of this Agreement do not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and compliance with the
terms hereof will not, (i) conflict with, or result in any violation of, or
default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under any provision
of, any certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, 
<PAGE>
 
certificate or articles of limited partnership, limited partnership agreement,
trust agreement, loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
lease or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license,
judgment, order, notice, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
applicable to such Stockholder or to such Stockholder's property or assets,
including the Subject Shares, (ii) require any filing with, or permit,
authorization, consent or approval of, or notice to, any federal, state or local
government or any court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other
governmental or regulatory authority or agency, domestic, foreign or
supranational, or (iii) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute,
rule or regulation applicable to such Stockholder or any of such Stockholder's
properties or assets, including the Subject Shares. If the Stockholder is a
natural person and is married, and such Stockholder's Subject Shares constitute
community property or otherwise need spousal or other approval for this
Agreement to be legal, valid and binding, this Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by, and constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of, the Stockholder's spouse, enforceable against such spouse in
accordance with its terms. No trust of which such Stockholder is a trustee
requires the consent of any beneficiary to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

   (b) THE SUBJECT SHARES.  Such Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner
       ------------------                                                      
of, and has good and marketable title to, the Subject Shares set forth opposite
his or its name on Schedule I attached hereto, free and clear of any LIENS
                   ----------                                             
(except for any Subject Shares that are held of record by the DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY, or its nominee, for the benefit of any Stockholder, which shall be
transferred into record ownership of such Stockholder as soon as practicable
after the date hereof).  The Stockholder does not own, of record or
beneficially, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any SUBSIDIARY or
any option, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exercisable
for shares of capital stock of the Company other than the Subject Shares set
forth opposite his or its name on Schedule I attached hereto.  The Stockholder
                                  ----------                                  
has the sole right to vote the Subject Shares owned by him or it, and, none of
such Subject Shares is subject to any voting trust or other agreement,
arrangement or restriction with respect to the voting of such Subject Shares,
except as contemplated by this Agreement.

   (c) BROKERS.  No broker, finder, investment banker or other person retained
       -------                                                                
by such Stockholder is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or
commission in connection with the execution of this Agreement by such
Stockholder or the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations hereunder
(it being understood that certain advisors may be entitled to certain fees and
expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, which fees and expenses shall be paid by the Company as set forth in
the Merger Agreement).

   1.2  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTOR.
        ---------------------------------------------- 
                  The Investor hereby represents and warrants to the
Stockholders as follows:

   (d) AUTHORITY.  The Investor has all requisite power and authority to enter
       ---------                                                              
into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Investor, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized
by all necessary action on the part of the Investor.  This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by the Investor and constitutes a 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
valid and binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor
in accordance with its terms. Except for the expiration or termination of the
waiting periods under the HSR Act, informational filings with the SEC and
compliance with any applicable state securities laws, the execution and delivery
of this Agreement do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and compliance with the terms hereof will not, (i) conflict with, or
result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time
or both) under any provision of, any certificate or articles of incorporation,
bylaws, certificate or articles of limited partnership, limited partnership
agreement, trust agreement, loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise,
license, judgment, order, notice, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation applicable to the Investor or to the Investor's property or assets,
(ii) require any filing with, or permit, authorization, consent or approval of,
or notice to, any federal, state or local government or any court, tribunal,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental or regulatory
authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational, or (iii) violate any
order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Investor or any of the Investor's properties or assets.

   (e) BROKERS.  No broker, finder, investment banker or other person is
       -------                                                          
entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission for which any
Stockholder will be liable in connection with the execution of this Agreement by
the Investor or the performance by the Investor of its obligations hereunder.

   1.3  COVENANTS OF EACH STOCKHOLDER.
        ----------------------------- 

          Each Stockholder, severally and not jointly, agrees, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, as follows:

   (f) At any meeting of stockholders of the Company called to vote upon the
Merger and the Merger Agreement or at any adjournment thereof or in any other
circumstances upon which a vote, consent or other approval (including by written
consent) with respect to the Merger and the Merger Agreement is sought, such
Stockholder shall vote (or cause to be voted) his or its Subject Shares in favor
of the Merger and the adoption by the Company of the Merger Agreement.

   (g) At any meeting of stockholders of the Company or at any adjournment
thereof or in any other circumstances upon which the Stockholder's vote, consent
or other approval is sought, such Stockholder shall vote (or cause to be voted)
his or its Subject Shares against (i) any ALTERNATIVE TRANSACTION, (ii) any
amendment of the Company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other
proposal or transaction involving the Company, which amendment or other proposal
or transaction would be reasonably likely to impede, frustrate, prevent or
nullify the Merger, the Merger Agreement or any of the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement or change in any manner the voting rights
of the Common Stock, or (iii) any action that would cause the Company to breach
any representation, warranty or covenant contained in the Merger Agreement.
Subject to Section 10, the Stockholder further agrees not to enter into any
agreement or take any action inconsistent with the foregoing.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
   (h) Such Stockholder shall not, prior to the earliest of (i) the EFFECTIVE
TIME and (ii) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms,
(A) sell, transfer, give, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of (including by
gift) (collectively, "Transfer"), or consent to any Transfer of, any or all of
                      --------                                                
his or its Subject Shares or any interest therein or enter into any contract,
option or other arrangement (including any profit sharing arrangement) with
respect to the Transfer of, his or its Subject Shares to any person (unless such
person agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms of this Agreement and
written notice of such Transfer is given promptly to Investor) other than
pursuant to the terms of the Merger or (B) enter into any voting arrangement,
directly or indirectly, whether by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise, in
respect of his or its Subject Shares, and such Stockholder agrees not to commit
or agree to take any of the foregoing actions.

   (i) Subject to the terms of Section 10, during the term of this Agreement,
such Stockholder shall not, nor shall it permit any investment banker, financial
advisor, attorney, accountant or other representative retained by it, to,
directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including by way of
furnishing information), or take any other action to facilitate, any inquiries
or the making of any proposal that may lead to an Alternative Transaction or
(ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any proposed
Alternative Transaction.

   (j) Such Stockholder, and any beneficiary of a revocable trust for which such
Stockholder serves as trustee, shall not take any action to revoke or terminate
such trust or take any other action which would restrict, limit or frustrate in
any way the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

   (k) Such Stockholder agrees that he or it shall complete and deliver the
Election Form to the Paying Agent prior to the expiration of the Election Date
and, pursuant to such Election Form, the Stockholder, after consultation with
the Investor, shall elect to retain such number of Shares that, after giving
effect to the proration set forth in Section 2.3 of the Merger Agreement, will
cause such Stockholder to retain (i) 50% of such Stockholder's Shares plus 
(ii) any Warrants plus (iii) the number of all Shares issued upon the exercise
of any Warrants, in lieu of such Shares being converted into the right to
receive the Cash Merger Price for each Share.

   1.4  GRANT OF IRREVOCABLE PROXY; APPOINTMENT OF PROXY.
        ------------------------------------------------ 

          Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably grants to, and appoints, the
Investor and Andrew Africk, in his capacity as an officer of the Investor, and
any individual who shall hereafter succeed to any such office of the Investor,
such Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution),
for and in the name, place and stead of such Stockholder, (i)  to vote such
Stockholder's Subject Shares or grant a consent or approval with respect to the
Merger and the adoption by the Company of the Merger Agreement and (ii)  to vote
such Stockholder's Subject Shares against (a) any Alternative Transaction, 
(b) any amendment of the Company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws or
other proposal or transaction involving the Company, which amendment or other
proposal or transaction would be reasonably likely to impede, frustrate, prevent
or nullify the Merger, the Merger Agreement or any of the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement or change in any manner the voting rights
of the Common Stock, or (c) any action that would cause the Company to breach
any representation, warranty or covenant contained in the Merger Agreement. The
proxy granted

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to this Section shall not affect the Stockholder's ability to make an
election, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, to
receive cash or stock as consideration in the Merger and shall terminate upon
the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.

   (l) Each Stockholder represents that there are no proxies heretofore given in
respect of such Stockholder's Subject Shares.

   (m) Each Stockholder hereby affirms that each irrevocable proxy granted
pursuant to this Section 4 is given in connection with the execution of the
Merger Agreement, and that each such irrevocable proxy is given to secure the
performance of the duties of the Stockholder under this Agreement.  Such
Stockholder hereby further affirms that each such irrevocable proxy is coupled
with an interest and may under no circumstances be revoked.  Each Stockholder
hereby ratifies and confirms all that the holder of each irrevocable proxy may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  Each such irrevocable proxy
is executed and intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of
Section 212(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"); provided,
                                                             ----             
that each such irrevocable proxy shall terminate upon termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.

   1.5  FURTHER ASSURANCES.
        ------------------ 

          Each Stockholder will, at the Investor's expense, from time to time,
execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such additional or
further consents, documents and other instruments as the Investor may reasonably
request for the purpose of effectively carrying out the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

   1.6  CERTAIN EVENTS.
        -------------- 

          Each Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and the obligations
hereunder shall attach to such Stockholder's Subject Shares and shall be binding
upon any person or entity to which legal or beneficial ownership of such Subject
Shares shall pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise, including without
limitation such Stockholder's heirs, guardians, administrators or successors.
In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, merger, reorganization,
recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company
affecting the Common Stock, or the acquisition of additional shares of the
Common Stock, the number of Subject Shares listed in Schedule I attached hereto
                                                     ----------                
beside the name of such Stockholder shall be adjusted appropriately and this
Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to any additional shares of
Common Stock or other voting securities of the Company issued to or acquired by
such Stockholder.

   1.7  ASSIGNMENT.
        ---------- 

          Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations
hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties without the prior written
consent of the other parties, except that (a) the Investor may assign any or all
of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to the extent it assigns its
rights, interests or obligations under the Merger Agreement and (b) the Investor
may assign, in its sole discretion, any and all of its rights, interests and
obligations hereunder to any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the
Investor.  Subject to the 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.

   1.8  TERM; TERMINATION.
        ----------------- 

          This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the parties
hereunder, shall terminate upon the date upon which the Merger Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms.

   1.9  GENERAL PROVISIONS.
        ------------------ 

   (n) AMENDMENTS.  This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
       ----------                                                               
writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

   (o) NOTICE.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
       ------                                                             
writing and shall be deemed given when delivered by facsimile (with confirmation
of delivery) or personally or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of
delivery) to the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement
and to the Stockholders at their respective addresses and facsimile numbers set
forth on Schedule I attached hereto (or at such other address and facsimile
         ----------                                                        
number for a party as shall be specified by like notice).

   (p) INTERPRETATION.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article
       --------------                                                           
or a Section, such reference shall be deemed made to an Article or a Section of
this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated.  The headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Unless the context otherwise
requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa.
Wherever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement
shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement.

   (q) COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
       ------------                                                
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and
shall become effective when one or more of the counterparts have been signed by
each of the parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that
each party need not sign the same counterpart.

   (r) ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  This Agreement
       ----------------------------------------------                 
(including the documents and instruments referred to herein) (i) constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and (ii) is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto
any rights or remedies hereunder.

   (s) GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
       -------------                                                        
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware regardless of the laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof.

   (t) VOIDABILITY.  If prior to the execution hereof, the Board of Directors of
       -----------                                                              
the Company shall not have duly and validly authorized and approved by all
necessary corporate 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
action, this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, so that by the execution and delivery hereof the Investor
would become, or could reasonably be expected to become an "interested
stockholder" with whom the Company would be prevented for any period pursuant to
Section 203 of the DGCL from engaging in any "business combination" (as such
terms are defined in Section 203 of the DGCL), then this Agreement shall be void
and unenforceable until such time as such authorization and approval shall have
been duly and validly obtained.

   (u) EXPENSES.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs and expenses
       ---------                                                             
incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.

   1.10  STOCKHOLDER CAPACITY.
         -------------------- 

          No person executing this Agreement who is or becomes during the term
hereof a director or officer of the Company makes any agreement or understanding
herein in his capacity as such director or officer.  Each Stockholder signs
solely in his capacity as the record holder and beneficial owner of, or the
trustee of a trust whose beneficiaries are the beneficial owners of, such
Stockholder's Subject Shares and nothing herein (including, without limitation,
the provisions of Section 3(e)) shall limit or affect any actions taken by a
Stockholder in his capacity as an officer or director of the Company.

   1.11  ENFORCEMENT. 
         -----------      

The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of
the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the
parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this
Agreement in any court of the United States located in the State of Delaware or
in a Delaware state court, this being in addition to any other remedy to which
they are entitled at law or in equity. In addition, each of the parties hereto
(a) consents to submit such party to the personal jurisdiction of any Federal
court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court in the event
any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (b) agrees that such party will not attempt to deny or defeat such
personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court,
(c) agrees that such party will not bring any action relating to this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby in any court other than a Federal court
sitting in the State of Delaware or a Delaware state court and (d) waives any
right to trial by jury with respect to any claim or proceeding related to or
arising out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

   1.12  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
         --------------------                             

Neither the Investor nor any Stockholder shall issue any press release or make
any public statement without the prior written consent of the other parties
hereto, except as may be required by applicable law, court process or by
obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities
exchange.

                                  **********

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Stockholders have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered effective as of the date of the
Merger Agreement.

                                       BOSS INVESTMENT LLC


                                       By:____________________________       
                                       Name:    
                                       Title:


                                       STOCKHOLDERS:

                                       _______________________________
                                       Name:
                                       
                                       _______________________________
                                       Name:
                                       
                                       _______________________________
                                       Name:
                                       
                                       _______________________________
                                       Name:
<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY
                        

                                   SCHEDULE I
                                   ----------

                         COLUMN 1          COLUMN 2        COLUMN 3  
                                
NAME AND ADDRESS OF  NUMBER OF SHARES     NUMBER OF        NUMBER OF 
   STOCKHOLDER       OF COMMON STOCK   SHARES SUBJECT    HARES SUBJECT
                                         TO COMPANY       TO WARRANTS  
                                        STOCK OPTIONS





 


<PAGE>
                                                                EXECUTION COPY

 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                          Merger Agreement - See Tab 1
<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 1.4(A)
                                                                  --------------

                            TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK

ISSUER:                   __________________________ (the "Company").

SECURITY:                 2,000,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred
                          Stock (the "Preferred Stock").

PURCHASE PRICE:           $200,000,000 or $100 per share (the "Initial
                          Purchase Price").

DIVIDENDS:                The holders of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled
                          to receive dividends, in preference to the holders of
                          any other shares of capital stock of the Company, at a
                          rate equal to 7.5% per annum, payable quarterly in
                          arrears. Dividends shall be payable as follows:

                            (i)  through the third anniversary of the closing
                                 date, in additional shares of Preferred Stock;
                                 valued at the liquidation price per share;

                           (ii)  after the third and through the fifth
                                 anniversary of the closing date, at the option
                                 of the holders of a majority of the shares of
                                 Preferred Stock, in cash or in additional
                                 shares of Preferred Stock; valued at the
                                 liquidation price per share; and

                          (iii)  thereafter, in cash.

                          Notwithstanding any conversion of any shares of
                          Preferred Stock prior to the first date on which the
                          Company can call the Preferred Stock, the Company
                          shall provide for the payment, at the time otherwise
                          payable, of all dividends that would otherwise have
                          accrued on such shares through such date as if such
                          shares had never converted. The Company shall
                          accelerate the payment of all dividends that would
                          otherwise accrue through the first date on which the
                          Company can call the Preferred Stock upon the
                          occurrence of a Change of Control prior to such date.
                          Such continued or accelerated dividends shall be paid
                          as set forth in (i) or (ii) above.

                          "Change of Control" means (i) the sale or other
                          disposition of all or substantially all assets of the
                          Company, (ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the
                          liquidation or dissolution of the Company, (iii) any




    

<PAGE>
 
                          person or group (other than a group including Apollo
                          or management) becoming the beneficial owner of a
                          majority (or more than 40%, if neither Apollo nor
                          management owns more) of the common stock of the
                          Company, (iv) the first day on which a majority of the
                          directors of the Company that have not been elected by
                          the holders of Preferred Stock are not Continuing
                          Directors (i.e., directors who were directors on the
                          closing date or were subsequently elected with the
                          approval of a majority of the then Continuing
                          Directors), or (v) the first day on which the
                          management group in the aggregate has sold a number of
                          voting shares that is greater than 66/2/3/% of the
                          number of voting shares owned by them immediately
                          after the closing date.

                          After the payment in full of all preferential
                          dividends accrued on the Preferred Stock, the holders
                          of the Preferred Stock shall share in any ordinary
                          dividends declared on the Common Stock on an as-
                          converted basis.

LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE:   In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
                          winding up of the Company, the holders of the
                          Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, in
                          preference to the Common Stock and any other shares of
                          capital stock of the Company ranking junior to the
                          Preferred Stock, an amount per share equal to the sum
                          of (i) $100 and (ii) all accrued but unpaid dividends
                          on such share (the "Preferential Amount").

VOLUNTARY CONVERSION:     Each holder of the Preferred Stock shall have the
                          right to convert its shares at any time into shares of
                          Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock
                          into which shares of Preferred Stock may be converted
                          shall be determined by the dividing the Preferential
                          Amount by the conversion price (which shall initially
                          be the Cash Merger Price), reflecting an initial
                          conversion rate of one-to-four.

ANTIDILUTION PROVISIONS:  Proportional antidilution protection shall be provided
                          for reorganizations, stock splits, stock dividends,
                          combinations, consolidations, stock distributions,
                          recapitalizations, reclassifications or other similar
                          events. The conversion ratio shall be adjusted on a
                          weighted average basis for issuances below the
                          conversion price of the Preferred Stock or below the
                          then current market price of the Common Stock, and for
                          redemptions above the then current market price of the
                          Common Stock, other than (i) the sale of shares
                          pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants
                          outstanding as of the closing or options issued after
                          the closing under the Company's existing incentive
                          plans and (ii) shares issued as consideration in
                          permitted acquisitions.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>
 
REDEMPTION:               The holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred
                          Stock may demand a redemption of the Preferred Stock,
                          at a price per share equal to its Preferential Amount,
                          (i) at any time on or after the 13/th/ anniversary of
                          the closing date, or (ii) in connection with or upon
                          any Change of Control.

CALL:                     At any time after the fifth anniversary of the closing
                          date, the Company may, upon 60 days notice, redeem
                          all, but not less than all, shares of Preferred Stock
                          for an amount per share equal to the sum of (i) $103
                          and (ii) all accrued but unpaid dividends on such
                          share.

VOTING RIGHTS:            The Preferred Stock will vote together with the Common
                          Stock on all matters, except as specifically provided
                          herein or as otherwise required by law. Each share of
                          Preferred Stock shall have a number of votes equal to
                          the number of shares of Common Stock then issuable
                          upon conversion.

PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS:    The Company shall not, without the consent of the
                          holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred
                          Stock, (i) alter or change the terms of the Preferred
                          Stock, (ii) authorize or issue additional shares of
                          Preferred Stock, except in payment of accrued
                          dividends on outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, or
                          (iii) authorize, issue or reclassify any equity
                          securities senior to or pari passu with the Preferred
                          Stock.

                          In addition, so long as Apollo holds a number of
                          shares of Preferred Stock equal to at least 50% of the
                          number of shares of Preferred Stock issued on the
                          closing date, the Company shall not, without the
                          consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of
                          Preferred Stock (i) merge or consolidate with any
                          person or entity, (ii) permit any subsidiary to merge
                          or consolidate with any person or entity, other than
                          in connection with any permitted acquisition, (iii)
                          effect a voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
                          up of the Company, (iv) directly or indirectly pay or
                          declare any dividend, make any distribution upon,
                          redeem or repurchase any shares of capital stock
                          junior to the Preferred Stock, except for ordinary
                          dividends not to exceed during any year 5% of the
                          market value of the Common Stock, (v) agree to, or
                          permit any subsidiary to agree to, any provision in
                          any agreement that would impose any restriction on the
                          Company's ability to honor the exercise of any rights
                          of the holders of the Preferred Stock, (vi) create any
                          subsidiary other than a wholly-owned subsidiary, (vii)
                          enter into any transaction with any affiliate of the
                          Company, except upon terms which are not less
                          favorable and reasonable than those obtainable in an
                          arm's-length transaction with a party that is not an
                          affiliate, (viii) materially alter or change the
                          business of the

                                      -3-

<PAGE>
 
                          Company as it is currently conducted, (ix) increase
                          the size of the Board of Directors, (x) hire or fire,
                          or amend the employment terms, of the CEO, COO or CFO
                          of the Company or the President of any of its Business
                          Units, (xi) adopt or amend any benefit or compensation
                          plans that are equity-linked or provide for bonus
                          payments to any individual in excess of $250,000
                          (except pursuant to existing arrangements), (xii)
                          enter into or refinance any debt financing or any
                          equity financing resulting in the issuance of shares
                          in excess of 10% of the then outstanding shares during
                          any 12-month period, (xiii) acquire or dispose of any
                          business or assets with a value in excess of $25
                          million (including all assumed debt, all cash
                          payments, and the fair market value of all securities
                          or other property issued as consideration), and (xiv)
                          incur any capital expenditures during any year in
                          excess of $10 million, which amounts shall increase,
                          on a cumulative basis, by $5 million for each year
                          after 1999.

PREEMPTIVE RIGHT:         Holders of the Preferred Stock will have the
                          opportunity to purchase all or any portion of any
                          future private placement by the Company of equity or
                          equity-linked securities, other than (i) securities
                          issued pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants
                          outstanding as of the closing or options issued after
                          the closing under the Company's customary incentive
                          plans, and (ii) securities issued as consideration in
                          permitted acquisitions.

INFORMATION RIGHTS:       The Company shall provide each holder of Preferred
                          Stock access to all books and records of the Company
                          and shall deliver to each such holder (i) monthly,
                          quarterly and annual financial statements, (ii) copies
                          of all filings made with the Securities and Exchange
                          Commission, (iii) notification of any material
                          defaults or litigation, and (iv) any other information
                          reasonably requested.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:       The Board of Directors shall consist of not more than
                          ten members. The holders of a majority of the shares
                          of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class,
                          shall have the right to elect four directors. The
                          directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock
                          shall be represented on each committee of the Board of
                          Directors in at least the same proportion as they are
                          represented on the Board.

                          Upon (i) a payment default under, or an acceleration
                          of, any indebtedness of the Company or (ii) a material
                          breach by the Company of the Certificate of
                          Incorporation (or Designation) setting forth terms of
                          the Preferred Stock, the holders of a majority of the
                          shares of Preferred Stock, voting separable as a
                          class, shall have to right to elect a majority of the
                          Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall use
                          reasonably commercial efforts to cure promptly the
                          event that triggered such special right and, upon such

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
 
                          cure, such special right shall terminate and the Board
                          of Directors shall be restored in accordance with the
                          paragraph above.

                          The Company shall indemnify its directors to the full
                          extent permitted by law and maintain customary
                          directors and officers insurance.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS:      The holders of the Preferred Stock shall have four
                          demand registration rights (including shelf
                          registrations) with respect to the Common Stock
                          underlying the Preferred Stock, unlimited registration
                          rights on Form S-3 with respect to such Common Stock,
                          and unlimited piggyback registration rights with
                          respect to any offering of Common Stock. The holders
                          of the Preferred Stock shall rank senior to any other
                          shareholders with respect to any cut-backs in
                          connection with any demand registration and pari passu
                          with such shareholders in connection with any
                          piggyback registration. The registration fees and
                          expenses of each such registration shall be borne by
                          the Company. The Company may delay any demand
                          registration for a period of 90 days upon customary
                          terms, but the Company may not exercise such right
                          more than once during any 12-month period.

INDEMNIFICATION:          The Company shall indemnify each purchaser of
                          Preferred Stock and its affiliates, partners,
                          officers, directors, employees, agents and
                          representatives against any demand, claim, or action
                          by any third party (including derivative actions
                          brought through or in the name of the Company) in
                          connection with (i) the status or conduct of the
                          Company, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance
                          of the documents entered into in connection with the
                          purchase of the Preferred Stock and the transactions
                          contemplated thereby, or (iii) the indemnified party's
                          role with the Company or such transactions, in each
                          case, except to the extent of any willful misconduct
                          or gross negligence of the indemnified party.










                                      -5-


<PAGE>
 
                                           ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated as of
                                      December 23, 1998 (this "Agreement"),
                                                               ---------
                                      between BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION,
                                      a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
                                                                   -------
                                      and APOLLO MANAGEMENT, L.P., a Delaware
                                      limited partnership ("Apollo").
                                                            ------

     The Company and an affiliate of Apollo have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the "Merger Agreement").
                                                  ----------------
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them
in the Merger Agreement.

     The Company desires to avail itself of Apollo's expertise from and after
the Effective Time and consequently has requested Apollo to make such expertise
available from time to time in rendering certain management consulting and
advisory services related to the business and affairs of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and the review and analysis of certain financial and other
transactions. Apollo and the Company agree that it is in their respective best
interests to enter into this Agreement whereby, for the consideration specified
herein, Apollo shall provide such services as independent consultant to the
Company and its Subsidiaries.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set
forth, the Company and Apollo agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  RETENTION OF APOLLO.
                 -------------------

     The Company hereby retains Apollo and Apollo accepts such retention, upon
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     SECTION 2.  TERM.
                 ----

     This Agreement shall commence at the Effective Time and, unless earlier
terminated pursuant to the final sentence of this Section 2 or extended by
mutual consent of the parties, shall terminate on December 31, 2003 (the
"Term"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may terminate this Agreement
 ----
concurrently with any sale of the Company as a going concern to an unaffiliated
third party (whether by merger, sale of substantially all of its assets or
otherwise), if after such transaction none of Apollo, any affiliate of Apollo,
any limited or general partner of Apollo or any of their respective Affiliates
owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, more than five
percent of the equity interest in the Company.

     SECTION 3.  MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES.
                 ------------------------------

          (a)  Apollo shall advise the Company concerning matters that relate to
mergers and acquisitions, as the Company shall reasonably and specifically
request by way of written notice to Apollo, which notice shall specify the
services required of Apollo and shall include all background material necessary
for Apollo to complete such services. Apollo shall devote such time to any such
written request as Apollo shall deem, in its discretion, necessary. 
<PAGE>
 
Such consulting services, in Apollo's discretion, shall be rendered in person or
by telephone or other communication. Apollo shall have no obligation to the
Company or any Subsidiary as to the manner and time of rendering its services
hereunder, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall have any right to
dictate or direct the details of the services rendered hereunder.

          (b)  The Company acknowledges and agrees that Apollo has structured
the Merger and the financing and other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. Apollo agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to arrange
for the debt and equity financing in connection with the Merger and to continue
to provide services to the Company in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

          (c)  Apollo shall perform all services to be provided hereunder as an
independent contractor to the Company and its Subsidiaries and not as an
employee, agent or representative of the Company or any Subsidiary. Apollo shall
have no authority to act for or to bind the Company or its Subsidiaries, without
the prior written consent of the Company.

          (d)  This Agreement shall in no way prohibit Apollo or any of its
partners or Affiliates or any director, officer, partner or employee of Apollo
or any of its partners or Affiliates from engaging in other activities, whether
or not competitive with any business of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     SECTION 4.  COMPENSATION.
                 ------------

          (a)  As consideration for Apollo's agreement to render the services
set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement and as compensation for any such
services rendered by Apollo prior to the date hereof, the Company shall pay to
Apollo an annual fee of $1,000,000, payable in equal quarterly installments of
$250,000 each on the first day of each fiscal quarter (or, if such date is not a
business day, on the next business day thereafter).

          (b)  As consideration for services rendered and Apollo's agreement to
render services as set forth in Section 3(b), the Company shall pay to Apollo a
fee of $6,000,000, which shall be payable at the Effective Time.

          (c)  Upon presentation by Apollo to the Company of such documentation
as may be reasonably requested by the Company, the Company shall reimburse
Apollo for all out-of-pocket expenses, including, without limitation, legal fees
and expenses, and other disbursements incurred by Apollo, its Affiliates or any
of its Affiliates' directors, officers, employees or agents in the performance
of Apollo's obligations hereunder, whether incurred on or prior to the date
hereof, including, without limitation, out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

          (d)  Nothing in this Agreement shall have the effect of prohibiting
Apollo or any of its Affiliates from receiving from the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries any other fees.

          (e)  Any portion of the fees payable to Apollo under this Agreement
which the Company is prohibited from paying pursuant to the agreements relating
to the 
<PAGE>
 
Indebtedness incurred in connection with the consummation of the Merger (the
"Credit Documents") shall be deferred, shall accrue and shall be payable at the
 ----------------
earliest time permitted under the Credit Documents or upon the payment in full
of all obligations thereunder. The Company shall notify Apollo if the Company
shall be unable to pay any fees pursuant to the Credit Documents on each date on
which the Company would otherwise make a payment of fees under this Agreement to
Apollo.

     SECTION 5.  INDEMNIFICATION.
                 ---------------

     The Company agrees that it shall indemnify and hold harmless Apollo, its
Affiliates and its Affiliates' directors, officers, employees and agents
(collectively, the "Indemnified Persons") on demand from and against any and all
                    -------------------
liabilities, costs, expenses and disbursements (collectively, "Claims") of any
                                                               ------
kind with respect to or arising from this Agreement or the performance by any
Indemnified Person of any services in connection herewith.

     SECTION 6.  NOTICES.
                 -------

     All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed sufficient if personally delivered, sent by
nationally-recognized overnight courier, by telecopy, or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed, if to
the Company, at the address set forth in the Merger Agreement and, if to Apollo,
as follows:

          Apollo Management, L.P.
          1301 Avenue of the Americas
          38th Floor
          New York, New York  10019
          Attention:   Mr. Andrew Africk
          Telecopier:  (212) 261-4102;

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have
furnished to each other party in writing in accordance herewith.  Any such
notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of
personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case of nationally-
recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date when sent,
(c) in the case of telecopy transmission, when received, and (d) in the case of
mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail
containing such communication is posted.

     SECTION 7.  BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT.
                 ---------------------

     This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of Apollo, the Company,
the Indemnified Persons and any successors to or assigns of Apollo and the
Company; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be assigned by either
         -----------------
party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld in the case of any assignment by Apollo.
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 8.  GOVERNING LAW.
                 -------------

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of laws).

     SECTION 9.  HEADINGS.
                 --------

     Section headings are used for convenience only and shall in no way affect
the construction of this Agreement.

     SECTION 10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS.
                 ----------------------------

     This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to its subject matter, and neither it nor any part of it may in any way
be altered, amended, extended, waived, discharged or terminated except by a
written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto.

     SECTION 11. COUNTERPARTS.
                 ------------

     This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each such counterpart
shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together
shall constitute but one agreement.

     SECTION 12.  WAIVERS.
                  -------

     Any party to this Agreement may, by written notice to the other party,
waive any provision of this Agreement. The waiver by any party of a breach of
any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach.

     SECTION 13.  AFFILIATES.
                  ----------

     For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Affiliate," with respect to
Apollo, shall include, without limitation, any fund that is an investor in the
Investor (collectively, the "Funds"), the general partner of Apollo, the general
                             -----
partner of each of the Funds and each person controlling, controlled by or under
common control with any of the foregoing persons.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Advisory Agreement
as of the date first above written.

                                       BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION


                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                       APOLLO MANAGEMENT, L.P.
                                       By:

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

<PAGE>
 
                   [LETTERHEAD OF BUILDING ONE APPEARS HERE]


         BUILDING ONE SERVICES ANNOUNCES RECAPITALIZATION PLAN



Washington, D.C. December 23, 1998 -- Building One Services Corporation (Nasdaq:
BOSS - news) today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger
agreement with Boss Investment LLC, an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P.,
pursuant to which a subsidiary of Boss Investment will merge with the Company.
In the merger, approximately 34.5 million shares of Building One Services will
be retired for $25.00 per share in cash.

In the transaction, it is anticipated that the Company's management team,
including Jonathan J. Ledecky, the Compan 's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, will retain approximately one-half of its equity in the Company. It is
expected, therefore, that the Company's public shareholders will be able to sell
90% of their shares for $25 cash consideration per share.

The transaction will require approximately $900 million of financing (including
fees and expenses), and is expected to be funded with approximately $225 million
of cash on the Company's balance sheet, new indebtedness, and $200 million from
the purchase of Convertible Preferred Stock by Boss Investment. The transactions
are conditioned upon a number of items, including approval of the Company's
stockholders, the receipt of satisfactory financing commitments, completion of
due diligence, and all regulatory approvals. It is anticipated that the
transactions will close in April 1999.

"This transaction reconfigures our balance sheet to provide value to our
shareholders while placing an amount of leverage on the Company that will
provide a higher return on equity for our shareholders," said Timothy Clayton,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Building One Services.
"Our historical run-rate EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes and
depreciation-amortization) of $125 million enables us to handle the projected
debt service payments, and with a proposed credit facility in place, 
<PAGE>
 
BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release 98-002
Page 2


will provide us with sufficient capital to continue our traditional program of
making strategic acquisitions for cash and stock in the future," said Mr.
Clayton.

Building One Services also announced today that it does not expect to meet IBES
analyst consensus estimates of $0.42 per share for the Company's fourth quarter.
The announcement of this recapitalization plan triggers the restatement and
conversion of past "pooling" transactions into "purchase" transactions,
leading to the immediate recognition of additional, non-deductible goodwill. In
addition, the recent contemplation of this financing proposal has also forced a
delay in the scheduled closing of several pending acquisitions and has
restricted the Company from implementing its recently announced 2.5 million
share stock repurchase program. As a result, the Company expects to announce
earnings in the $0.36 to $0.38 per share range for the fourth quarter.

"Earnings per share will be impacted both in the fourth quarter and in the first
two quarters of our fiscal year ending December 31, 1999 by charges associated
with this pending transaction. We believe that following the consummation of the
proposed transaction, annualized run rate EPS should be in the $2.00 per share
range due to the reduced number of shares outstanding and including the
increased debt charges resulting from the transaction," said Mr. Clayton.

Friedman, Billings, Ramsey acted as financial advisor to the Special Committee
of Building One Services.

Apollo Management, L.P. is a private investment firm based in New York and Los
Angeles. Since its inception in 1990, Apollo and its affiliated funds have
invested over $10 billion of capital in response to the needs of its strategic
partners in a broad range of industries.

Building One Services Corporation is a leader in the facilities services
industry and has a corporate goal of becoming a national single-source provider
of facilities services. Facility services companies provide many products and
services needed for the routine operation and maintenance of a building.
Building One Services currently has annualized revenues of approximately $1.2
billion and has acquired companies in the electrical, mechanical and janitorial
segments of the facilities services industry.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements relate
to, among others things, the transactions contemplated by the recapitalization;
the accounting treatment of the recapitalization; the level of indebtedness to
be incurred by the Company; the ability to finance acquisitions; the future
earnings of the Company; the Company's acquisition program; stock repurchases
and potential option grants. Any or all 
<PAGE>
 
BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release 98-002
Page 3


of our forward-looking statements in this press release or in any other public
statements we make may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate
assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, the following: the risks associated with
significant indebtedness, the dependence on key personnel of the Company and
hourly wage and technical employees; risks related to the Company's
consolidation strategy, its ability to complete acquisitions and the continuing
consolidation in the industry; the ability to integrate acquisitions; risks
related to acquisition financing, including potential dilution; possible
significant amortization charges; exposure to downturns in commercial and
industrial construction; substantial competition; and other factors affecting
the Company's prospects described in the Company's most recent Registration
Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 3, 1998 and its other public filings.

BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION WILL HOLD A CONFERENCE CALL WEDNESDAY,
DECEMBER 23, 1998 AT 10:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CALL FROM
THE UNITED STATES, DIAL IN ON 1-800-283-1693. FOR ALL CALLERS OUTSIDE OF THE
UNITED STATES, DIAL IN ON 703-736-7227. ALL CALLERS SHOULD ASK TO BE INCLUDED IN
THE "BUILDING ONE SERVICES CORPORATION CONFERENCE CALL."


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