The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-27

Posr OTyIcs DEPAnrMxHr,
MABcH Ia. 1881.

Il
.F ff MABcH IL, 1851.
| TT BEING DESIRABLE 10 substitute locks and
i keys Of some other hind for those in for
| the mail service Of the United States, specimen
locke and keys with proposals TO furnish Inc ssme.
will be received and considered af the Post Once
Department until the first day of July next. The
different locks will be submitted TO commission
for examination and report Upon tins Teporf,
contracts will, az soon practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years with the right the part Of the Postmas Ter
General for the time being 70 extend and continue
the contract In force for additional term Of four
years, by giving TO the contractor a written notice
70 that effect, not than nine nor less than six
months before the termination Of the first term Of
four years.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the
lowest price, no kind Of lock il prescribed as
standard, the Department relying for selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II 10. how
ever proper to state. that locS suitable for the
mail service should possess the following Qunli-
ties, viz durability, uniformity, iighiaess, and
strength.
For the purpose Of dispIacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards tho
annual supply will depend ON the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, as well as the increase Of
the mail service; but it win probably exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
tnOubauu OF the lhttcr. RI
No lock will be considered If il be like any al
ready in general use; will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed TO make, sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
tractcd for for any other purpose than that OF
The Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentce will be required, entering into CON
tract. 10 make aseignIncnt OF his patent for the
exclusive and beAeft Of the Department, IL the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential TO the interests of the service In OF
The failure Of the contractor at any time 70 fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions Of bis contract
sdes resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annul said contract, and to contract anew
with any other party parties he may ft for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem 1t expe-
dent to select for the through mails tho lock of one
bidder, and for the way mails that of another. He
reserves, therefore, the right Of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinda of
locks as 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, with ample security, in the sum Of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
OF the contract The contract 10 to contain provi-
sons for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms of these provi-
sons to be arranged between the Department and
the successful bidder. if 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 contracG
N.K. HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar l7--1aWfiv1