<PAGE>
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
NATIONAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE
DATED AUGUST 7, 2000
BY
PN ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY INC.,
A WHOLLY OWNED INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF
PEARSON PLC
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2000, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BY MAIL: BY HAND: BY COURIER:
<S> <C> <C>
ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C.
Reorganization Department Reorganization Department Reorganization Department
P.O. Box 3301 120 Broadway 85 Challenger Road
South Hackensack, New Jersey 13th Floor Mail Stop--Reorg
07606 New York, New York 10271 Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
07660
</TABLE>
BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
(For Eligible Institutions only)
(201) 296-4293
CONFIRM FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
By telephone only
(201) 296-4860
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF
INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK, EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) SHARES TENDERED
ON SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL SIGNED LIST IF NECESSARY)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NUMBER OF
SHARES
REPRESENTED BY
SHARE CERTIFICATE SHARE NUMBER OF SHARES
NUMBER(S)* CERTIFICATE(S)* TENDERED**
<S> <C> <C> <C>
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHARES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Need not be completed if transfer is made by book-entry transfer.
** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares described above are being tendered. See Instruction 4. IF
ANY OF THE CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES THAT YOU OWN HAVE BEEN LOST OR DESTROYED SEE INSTRUCTION 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if certificates are to be
forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent's Message (as defined in Section 2 of the
Offer to Purchase (as defined below)) is utilized, if delivery of Common Stock,
$0.03 par value per share, including associated preferred stock purchase rights
(the "Shares") is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by
the Depositary at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in and pursuant
to the procedures set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase). Shareholders
whose certificates for Shares are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver either the certificates for, or a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined in
the Offer to Purchase) with respect to, their Shares and all other documents
required hereby to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in
the Offer to Purchase) must tender their Shares in accordance with the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.
See Instruction 2. Delivery of documents to a Book-Entry Transfer Facility does
not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY PARTICIPANTS IN THE
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):
Name of Tendering Institution _____________________________________________
Account Number ____________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number ___________________________________________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY, ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY
OF SUCH NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Owner(s) ____________________________________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery ________________________
Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery ______________________________
If delivered by book-entry transfer check box: / /
2
<PAGE>
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to PN Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., a
Minnesota corporation (the "Purchaser") and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary
of Pearson plc, a public limited company registered in England and Wales
("Parent"), the above-described shares of Common Stock, par value $0.03 per
share, including the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Shares"),
of National Computer Systems, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"),
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchaser's Offer
to Purchase dated August 7, 2000 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and this Letter of
Transmittal (which, together with any amendments or supplements thereto or
hereto, collectively constitute the "Offer"), receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged.
Upon the terms of the Offer, subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for
payment of, and payment for, the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the
terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or
upon the order of, the Purchaser all right, title and interest in and to all the
Shares that are being tendered hereby (and any and all other Shares or other
securities or rights issued in respect thereof on or after August 7, 2000) and
irrevocably constitutes and appoints ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
(the "Depositary"), the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to the full extent
of the undersigned's rights with respect to such Shares (and any such other
Shares or securities or rights) (a) to deliver certificates for such Shares (and
any such other Shares or securities or rights) or transfer ownership of such
Shares (and any such other Shares or securities or rights) on the account books
maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility together, in any such case, with
all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order
of, the Purchaser, (b) to present such Shares (and any such other Shares or
securities or rights) for transfer on the Company's books and (c) to receive all
benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such
Shares (and any such other Shares or securities or rights), all in accordance
with the terms of the Offer.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the tendered Shares
(and any and all other Shares or other securities or rights issued or issuable
in respect of such Shares on or after August 7, 2000) and, when the same are
accepted for payment by the Purchaser, the Purchaser will acquire good title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, claims and encumbrances and
the same will not be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned will, upon
request, execute any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the
Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and
transfer of the tendered Shares (and any such other Shares or other securities
or rights).
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred pursuant to this Letter of
Transmittal shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be
affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned.
Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints Robert L. Dancy, Peter
Jovanovich and John LaVacca, and each of them, and any other designees of the
Purchaser, the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full
power of substitution, to vote at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of
the Company's shareholders or otherwise in such manner as each such
attorney-in-fact and proxy or his or her substitute shall in his or her sole
discretion deem proper with respect to, to execute any written consent
concerning any matter as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his or her
substitute shall in his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, and
to otherwise act as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his or her
substitute shall in his sole discretion deem proper with respect to, the Shares
tendered hereby that have been accepted for payment by the Purchaser prior to
the time any such action is taken and with respect to which the undersigned is
entitled to vote (and any and all other Shares or other securities or rights
issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after August 7, 2000). This
appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, the Purchaser
accepts for payment such Shares as provided in the Offer to Purchase. This power
of attorney and proxy are irrevocable and are granted in consideration
3
<PAGE>
of the acceptance for payment of such Shares in accordance with the terms of the
Offer. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior powers of attorney, proxies
and consents given by the undersigned with respect to such Shares (and any such
other Shares or securities or rights) will, without further action, be revoked
and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be
given (and, if given, will not be deemed effective) by the undersigned.
The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares pursuant to any
of the procedures described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase and in the
Instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned
and the Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
Unless otherwise indicated herein under "Special Payment Instructions",
please issue the check for the purchase price and/or return any certificates for
Shares not tendered or accepted for payment in the name(s) of the registered
holder(s) appearing under "Description of Shares Tendered". Similarly, unless
otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions", please mail the check
for the purchase price and/or return any certificates for Shares not tendered or
accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the
address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing under "Description of Shares
Tendered". In the event that both the "Special Delivery Instructions" and the
"Special Payment Instructions" are completed, please issue the check for the
purchase price and/or return any certificates for Shares not tendered or
accepted for payment (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the
name of, and deliver such check and/or return such certificates (and any
accompanying documents, as appropriate) to, the person or persons so indicated.
Please credit any Shares tendered herewith by book-entry transfer that are not
accepted for payment by crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility designated above. The undersigned recognizes that the Purchaser has no
obligation pursuant to the "Special Payment Instructions" to transfer any Shares
from the name of the registered holder thereof if the Purchaser does not accept
for payment any of the Shares so tendered.
/ / CHECK HERE IF ANY OF THE CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES THAT YOU OWN HAVE
BEEN LOST OR DESTROYED AND SEE INSTRUCTION 11.
NUMBER, CLASS AND SERIES OF SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE LOST OR DESTROYED
CERTIFICATES:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4
<PAGE>
------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not
accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price of Shares
accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of someone other than the
undersigned.
Issue / / Check / / Certificate(s) to:
Name _______________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
____________________________________________________________________________
(EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER)
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not
accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price of Shares
accepted for payment is to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or
to the undersigned at an address other than that above.
Mail / / Check / / Certificate(s) to:
Name _______________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
____________________________________________________________________________
(EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER)
-----------------------------------------------------
5
<PAGE>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGN HERE
(ALSO COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW)
____________________________________________________________________________
.
,
____________________________________________________________________________
.
,
(SIGNATURE(S) OF SHAREHOLDER(S))
Dated: _____________ 2000
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) as name(s) appear(s) on the
certificate(s) for the Shares or on a security position listing or by
person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and
documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or
others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the
following information and see Instruction 5.)
Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title) ______________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number _____________________________________
Taxpayer Identification or
Social Security Number _____________________________________________________
(SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(IF REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
Authorized Signature _______________________________________________________
,
Name _______________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Title ______________________________________________________________________
Name of Firm _______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number _____________________________________
Dated: ______________ 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
1. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee is required on this
Letter of Transmittal (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this Instruction, includes any
participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities' system whose name appears on
a security position listing as the
6
<PAGE>
owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered herewith, unless such registered
holder(s) has completed either the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions"
or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter of
Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of a firm that is
a participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program or the New York
Stock Exchange Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program or by
any other "eligible guarantor institution", as such term is defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each, an
"Eligible Institution"). In all other cases, all signatures on this Letter of
Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.
2. REQUIREMENTS OF TENDER. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed
by shareholders either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or, unless
an Agent's Message (as defined below) is utilized, if delivery of Shares is to
be made pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in
Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase. For a shareholder validly to tender Shares
pursuant to the Offer, either (a) a Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, together with any required
signature guarantees or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's
Message, and any other required documents, must be received by the Depositary at
one of its addresses set forth herein prior to the Expiration Date (as defined
in the Offer to Purchase) and either certificates for tendered Shares must be
received by the Depositary at one of such addresses or Shares must be delivered
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth herein (and a
Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) must be received
by the Depositary), in each case, prior to the Expiration Date, or (b) the
tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth below and in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.
Shareholders whose certificates for Shares are not immediately available or
who cannot deliver their certificates and all other required documents to the
Depositary or complete the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the
Expiration Date may tender their Shares by properly completing and duly
executing the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such
procedures, (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution,
(b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
substantially in the form provided by the Purchaser must be received by the
Depositary prior to the Expiration Date and (c) the certificates for all
tendered Shares in proper form for transfer (or a Book-Entry Confirmation with
respect to all such Shares), together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature
guarantees, or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's Message, and
any other required documents, must be received by the Depositary within three
trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
as provided in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase. A "trading day" is any day on
which the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System
is open for business.
"Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a Book-Entry
Confirmation, that states that such Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an
express acknowledgment from the participant in such Book-Entry Transfer Facility
tendering the Shares that such participant has received and agrees to be bound
by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that the Purchaser may enforce
such agreement against such participant.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SHARES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH ANY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY,
IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER. SHARES WILL BE DEEMED
DELIVERED ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE
OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL,
REGISTERED MAIL, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS
RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no
fractional Shares will be purchased. All tendering shareholders, by execution of
this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive
any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the
certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be listed on a separate
schedule attached hereto.
7
<PAGE>
4. PARTIAL TENDERS (APPLICABLE TO CERTIFICATE SHAREHOLDERS ONLY). If fewer
than all the Shares evidenced by any certificate submitted are to be tendered,
fill in the number of Shares that are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number
of Shares Tendered". In any such case, new certificate(s) for the remainder of
the Shares that were evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be sent to the
registered holder, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this
Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the acceptance of payment
of, and payment for the Shares tendered herewith. All Shares represented by
certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered
unless otherwise indicated.
5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, STOCK POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder of the Shares
tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name as written on the
face of the certificate(s) without any change whatsoever.
If any of the Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Shares are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the
Purchaser of their authority so to act must be submitted.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the
Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of certificates or
separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made to or
certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued to
a person other than the registered owner(s). Signatures on such certificates or
stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of certificates listed, the certificates must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the
name or names of the registered owner or owners appear on the certificates.
Signatures on such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
6. STOCK TRANSFER TAXES. The Purchaser will pay any stock transfer taxes
with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it or its order pursuant to
the Offer. If, however, payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or if
certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be
registered in the name of, any person(s) other than the registered owner(s), or
if tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person(s) other than
the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock
transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered owner(s) or such person(s))
payable on account of the transfer to such person(s) will be deducted from the
purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is submitted.
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the certificates listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
7. SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If a check is to be issued
in the name of, and/or certificates for Shares not accepted for payment are to
be returned to, a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or
if a check is to be sent and/or such certificates are to be returned to a person
other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than
that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be
completed.
8. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Purchaser reserves the absolute right in its
sole discretion to waive any of the specified conditions (other than the Minimum
Tender Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase)) of the Offer, in whole
or in part, in the case of any Shares tendered.
9. 31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX. In order to avoid U.S. federal backup
withholding tax on payments of cash pursuant to the Offer, a shareholder
surrendering Shares in the Offer must, unless an exemption applies, provide
8
<PAGE>
the Depositary with such shareholder's correct taxpayer identification number
("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below in this Letter of Transmittal and certify
under penalties of perjury that such TIN is correct and that such shareholder is
not subject to backup withholding tax. If a shareholder does not provide such
shareholder's correct TIN or fails to provide the certifications described
above, the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") may impose a $50 penalty on such
shareholder and any payment of cash to such shareholder pursuant to the Offer
may be subject to backup withholding tax of 31%.
Backup withholding tax is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of the
backup withholding tax can be credited against the Federal income tax liability
of the person subject to the backup withholding tax, provided that the required
information is given to the IRS. If backup withholding tax results in an
overpayment of tax, a refund can be obtained by the shareholder upon filing an
income tax return.
The shareholder is required to give the Depositary the TIN (i.e., social
security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the
Shares. If the Shares are held in more than one name or are not in the name of
the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
number to report.
The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering
shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to
apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the
shareholder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting
Taxpayer Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Depositary will
withhold 31% on all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Depositary. However, such amounts will be refunded to such
shareholder if a TIN is provided to the Depositary within 60 days of the
shareholder submitting such Certificate.
Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals and entities) are not subject to backup withholding tax.
Noncorporate foreign shareholders should complete and sign the main signature
form and a Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status, a copy of which may be
obtained from the Depositary, in order to avoid backup withholding tax. See the
enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9" for more instructions.
10. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and requests
for assistance may be directed to Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc. (the
"Information Agent") or to Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the "Dealer Manager") at their
respective addresses listed below. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase,
this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the Guidelines
for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 may
be obtained from the Information Agent or from brokers, dealers, banks, trust
companies or other nominees.
11. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any certificate
representing Shares has been lost, destroyed or stolen, the shareholder should
promptly notify the Depositary by checking the box immediately preceding the
special payment/special delivery instructions and indicating the number of
Shares so lost, destroyed or stolen, or call the Transfer Agent at
(651) 450-4064 or (800) 468-9716. The shareholder will then be instructed by the
Depositary as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the
certificate. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be
processed until the procedures for replacing lost or destroyed certificates have
been followed.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR A MANUALLY SIGNED FACSIMILE
THEREOF) TOGETHER WITH ANY SIGNATURE GUARANTEES, OR, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER, AN AGENT'S MESSAGE, AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, MUST BE RECEIVED
BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE AND EITHER CERTIFICATES FOR
TENDERED SHARES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY OR SHARES MUST BE DELIVERED
PURSUANT TO THE PROCEDURES FOR BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, IN EACH CASE PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION DATE, OR THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES
FOR GUARANTEED DELIVERY.
9
<PAGE>
PAYER'S NAME: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX Social Security Number(s) or Employer
SUBSTITUTE AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING Identification Number
FORM W-9 BELOW.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 2--Certification under penalties of perjury, I certify that (1) the number shown
on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a
number to be issued for me) and (2) I am not subject to backup withholding because:
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (a) I am exempt from backup withholding or (b) I have not been notified by the
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a
result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified
me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross PART 3
out item (2) in Part 2 above if you have Awaiting TIN / /
been notified by the IRS that you are ------------------------------------------
subject to backup withholding because of PART 4
underreporting interest or dividends on Exempt TIN / /
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR your tax returns. However, if after being
TAXPAYER notified by the IRS that you are subject
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER to backup withholding, you received
(TIN) another notification from the IRS stating
that you are no longer subject to backup
withholding, do not cross out such item
(2). If you are exempt from backup
withholding, check the box in Part 4
above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN
BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART
3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number to the Depositary, 31% of
all reportable payments made to me will be withheld, but will be refunded to me
if I provide a certified taxpayer identification number within 60 days.
Signature:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date:
----------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10
<PAGE>
Manually signed facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal will be
accepted. The Letter of Transmittal, certificates for Shares and any other
required documents should be sent or delivered by each shareholder of the
Company or such shareholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BY MAIL: BY HAND: BY COURIER:
<S> <C> <C>
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C. L.L.C. L.L.C.
Reorganization Department Reorganization Department Reorganization Department
P.O. Box 3301 120 Broadway 85 Challenger Road
South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606 13th Floor Mail Stop--Reorg
New York, New York , 10271 Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660
</TABLE>
BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
(For Eligible Institutions only)
(201) 296-4293
CONFIRM FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
By telephone only
(201) 296-4860
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective addresses set forth below.
Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal and the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Information Agent. You
may also contact your broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee for
assistance concerning the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc.
17 STATE STREET, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
BANKS AND BROKERAGE FIRMS CALL COLLECT: (212) 440-9800
ALL OTHERS CALL TOLL FREE: (800) 223-2064
The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
85 BROAD STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
(212) 902-1000 (CALL COLLECT)
(800) 323-5678 (CALL TOLL FREE)
