American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-05
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
P0sT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March Ia. 1871.


March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those now In use for the mail service
If the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
poss TO furnish the will be received and considered
It the Post Office Department until the first day Of Jul,
next The different locks will be submitted to commits.
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for
nng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not more than nine nor les
than ak months before the termination of the first term
" four years
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock II prescribed standard the De
parment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited MAY
evelop. IL IT, however proper TO state that lock suit
bile for the mail service should possess the blowing oua
ties viz durability uniformity, lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto will b
required be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bty Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service; but 1t will probably never ex.
reed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If It DO like any already in
general use; nor will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment Of HIS patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of
service In Of the failure of the contractor any
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort n the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to snnu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties as he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals aud specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expedent 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mills 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 to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security In the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton 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
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X HALL
mar a. Postmaster General