American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-24
FURNISHING NAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
pogT OYpfcr DEPARTMENT. ]

Mdrch IA, 1851
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
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 fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part the Postmaster General for the time being,
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
tona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more 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, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De-
parment relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1t Is however proper to state that lock suit
ities viz durability uniformity, lghness and strength.
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into;
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
by of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail seryice but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II Il be like any already in
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO Make SELL or furnish, any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented the pa
tentee will be required, entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft Of the Department, If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In 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,
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul 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 II expedien to select
for the through mails the lock Of 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 10 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-
tract 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 OF
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should lie accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General