American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-03
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
$3.50 -* -# Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I
IA

q w,
March IA, 1851
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to 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 commits
sion for examination report Upon this report con
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into fur
nshng 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 add
tona term of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine 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 1T is however, proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability uniformity, lghness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new 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 dra
bilty 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. .....H ....... #.....e
No lock win be considered If It be like any already in
general will any one 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
entee will be required entering into contract TO make
an assignment patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft 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
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions his
contract the Postmaster General shall right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and contract with
any other party parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedient TO select
Cor the through mails the lock of bidder the
mails that Of another lie therefore,
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. 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 CON
tract is to contain provisions for the due proper in
specton of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the of
these provisions TO be 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 of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
NJ X. HALL,
pa Postmaster General.