The republic., 1851-06-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS. i.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMKsr,
MApcH Ia 1881.

MArcH IL. 1851
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
i keys Of some other kind Tor those in use for
the mail service of the United States. specimen
locks and keys with proposals to furnish the same,
will be received and considered at the Post Once
Departn ent until the first day Of July next The
different locks will be submitted TO a commission
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will, soon practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right the part Of the Postmaster
General for the time being TO extend and continue
the contract in force for additional term Of four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
to that effect not more than nine less than six
months before the termination of the lrst term OF
four years.
With view of procuring the best lock at the
lowest price, no Kind Of lock is prescribed as a
standard. the Department relying for a seleciion
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which n fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II is how
ever, proper TO state, that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz durability, uniformity, lightness, and
strength.
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will lie required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability Of the
loc ks and keys adopted, we'll ia the increase of
the mail service; but it will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
NO lock Will be considered II II be like any al
ready in general use; will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed 10 make, sell.
or furnish any lock key similar to those con-
racted for for any other purpose than that Of
the Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
The patentee will be required ION entering into
tract, to make assignment of his patent for tLe
exclusive usc and benefit Of the Department, if the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests Of the service la Of
the failure OF the contractor at any time TO fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions of his contract,
the Postmaster General shall have the right be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned, to annul said contract and to contract
with any other party or parties as he may fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered the Postmaster General may deem il expe-
dent to select for the through mails the lock Of
bidder, and for the way mails that of another. He
different individuals for such different kinds of
locks he may select, and also the right to reject
all the specimens and proposals. if he shall deem
that course for the interest of the Department. The
party or parties contracting will be required TO
give bond, wiz ample security, in the sum Of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
of the contract. The contract is to contain provi-
sons for the due and proper inspection Of the locks
and keys. and also for guarding against their pass
ing ipto improper hands the terms OF these provi
sions to be arranged between the Department and
| the successful bidder, il bid should be accepted
No application will be considered if not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence of the trustwor-
thy character OF the bidder, and OF his ability to
fulfil the contract.
NJ K. HALL, Postmaster General.
Ma l., t;,,I