American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-07
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS,
Posr 0PFIcE DEPARTMENT,

Posr OPFICE DEPARTMENT,
March H. 1851. I
being desirable 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 to furnish 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 con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for an 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 lie prescribed Standard the De
parnent relying for selection the mechanical skill
ingenuity which a fair competition, invited, may
develop. 1t Is however, proper TO state that lock suit
the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity lightness, and strength
For the purpose OF dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand 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-
by Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail Service but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter. y.
No lock will be considered IL it be like any already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL 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 and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract to make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully tho terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties be may IT. for furnishing
| similar locks and keys. f&f
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedent 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds OF locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. 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 proper in
specon of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder aud Of his ability to fulfil the contract
| U N. X HALL,
4 mar "a Postmaster General.