Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-21
MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
March ID, 1851.
L keys of some other kind for those now in use for the
mail service of the United States, specimen locks and
KEYS with proposals tounsh the same will be received
and considered at the Post Office Department until the
hrSt day OF July next The different locks will be sub
United to commission for examination and report
Upon this report, contracts will, soon as practicable,
be entered into for furnishing such locks and KEYS for
tour years with the right on the part of the Postmaster
General tor the time being to extend and continue the
contract In force Tor additional 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 procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no kind ofock prescribed standards the De-
partment relying tor selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited
may develop 1t is, however, proper to state, that
lock suitable for the mai! service should possess the fol-
lowing qualnies,vlz. durability, uniformity lightness
and strength
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 10 be furnished by the contractor with
IN seven months after the contract shall have been
tered INTO afterwards the annual supply will depend
on the durability of the locks and keys adopted, as
well as tine increase OF the mail service; but will pro-
badly never exceed in amount three thou and of the for
mer and one thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered if it be like any already
IN general use; nor will any with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish
any JOCK or Key similar to those contracted tor Tor
other purpose than that Of the Post Office De-
partment.
The kind lock adopted must be patented, and the
patentee will be required, entering into contract to
make assignment of his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit othe Department. if the Postmaster General
sha 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 to the penal remedy herein
after mentioned, to annu said contract and 10 contract
anew with any other party parties as he may see
fiji, for furnishing similar locks and KEYS.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens of.
fered the Postmaster General may deem it expedient
to select for the through mails the lock of one bidder
and TOR the way mails that of another. He reserves,
therefore, the right Of contracting with different ind-
vduas for such different kinds OF locks as he may Sc
lect, and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals, if he shall deem That course for the interest
Of the Department. The party or parties contracting
will be required to give bond. with ample security in
the Of thirty thousand dollars for faithful pertor-
nance of the contract. The contract is to contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection of The locks
and keys and also, guarding against their passing into
improper hands, the terms OF these provisions be ar
ranged between the Department and the successful bid.
der, if bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy characte.
of the bidder, and OF his ability to fulfil the contract
N: X. HALL. Postmaster General.