American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS & KEYS.

]
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with pro
posas furnish the same, will be received and considered
mt 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 con-
tracts will as soon practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
TO extend continue the contract in force for add
tona term Of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years. III.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price no kind Of lock prescribed standard, the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which a fair competition, invited may
develop. IL Is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity lghtness, and strength
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
by of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease of tho mail SERVICE but 1t will probably
in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered IL Il be like any already In
general use; viii any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make cell, or furnish any
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract TO make
an Assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and BEN
eft Of the Department. IL the Postmaster General shall
essential TO inc interests OF the
service In case of the failure Of the contractor Mt 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 mon
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 1t expedent 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 for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem 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 for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract contain provisions for the due and proper in
spcction of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions TO he arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder if bid should be accepted
| No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
| N. X. HALL,
mar 2- Postmaster General