American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-15
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
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fOoT OfflCE DEPAHTMkNT,
March IA, 1851
1T 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
posals furnish the 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 con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal 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
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop II Is, however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following
tiles, viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto 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-
bility Of the locks and keys adopted well the
Of the mail servce but 1t will probably
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 will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make SELL or furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented the pa
entee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and
eft of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In Of 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
toned TO annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys. %#t5Es@# =
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster GENERAL may deem II expeient 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder. ana or the
mails that Of another He 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. II be 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 Is to contain provisions for the due and proper
specon Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper bands the terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and tho successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered " accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General