The republic., 1851-06-12
FuRsIsHIsG MAIL LOOKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFYIcE DEPARrnxsr,
Mxpcu IA 1881

PosT OrFIcE DEPARrMxNr
MARCH u, 1851
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
keys of some other kind for those now in use for
the mail service Of the United States. specimen
locks and keys, with proposals 10 furnish the same,
will be received and considered at the Post Office
Departm ent until the first day Of July next The
different locks will be submitted to commission
for examination and report Upon this report,
contracts WILL as soon practicable, be entered
into Tor furnishing 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 additional term Of four
years, by giving TO the contractor written notice
TO that elect not more than nine less than ak
mon'hs before the termination OF the fret term OF
four years
With view of procuring the beet lock at the
lowest price, no Kind OF lock 10 prescribed
standard, the Department relying for a selcction
on the mechanical skill and p pgenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II is, how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz durability, uniformity, lightness, and
atrength.
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, as well as the increase of
the mail service; but it will probably exceed
in amount three thousand of tho lormer and one
tnOuBanu OF the lntter.
No lock will be considered If ii 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-
rnced for for any other purpose use than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind OF lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentee will be required entering into con-
tract, to make an assignment Of his patent for tho
exclusive and benefit Of the Department, If the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests of the service In case 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, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned, toannul said contract, and to contract
with any other party parties he may fit for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem il expe-
dent 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. il he shall deem
that 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 is 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 prov
sions 10 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 contract.
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar 17--1awtiyl