American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-29
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,


March IA, 1851. 7
TT 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 pro
posas to furnish the will be received and considered
m the Post Office Department until the first day of July
nsrt The different locks will be submitted commits
son a., nv, nnation and report Upon this report con-
tracts viii =, as practicable be entered into for
nishng such General r S tm ee brgs
to extend and continue the nract In force for an add
tonal term Of four years. by gviB 70 tne contractor
written notice to that effect, not more ~ hne nor Tess
than six months before the termination the hrst 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 skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
es sop s nail possess The oua
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply win depend the dura-
bity of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but 1t win probably never
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 use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL furnish, any
lock key similar 10 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
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
deemsuch requirement essential 10 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 hereinafter
toned TO annu said contract and TO contract with
other party parties he may fit for furnishing
similar locks aud keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expeden 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 MS he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II 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 con-
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; the terms Of
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and 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 and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar ID Postmaster General.