American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-29
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March Ia, 1851.
T being desirable to substitute locks keys Of some
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for
nishing 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 add
onal term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect than nine
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection ON the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
ties viz: durability uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in USE about thirty thousand
new locke and twenty thousand thereto viii be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service but It will probably ex-
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II It be like any already in
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, furnish, any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind ofock adopted must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required on entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department, If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential 20 the interests Of the
service In case the failure of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL cxpedent to select
for the through mails the lock one bidder and for the
way mails that of another lie reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security, in the of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The con
is TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of bis ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar a. Postmaster General