American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-05
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
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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
posa TO furnish the viii 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
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 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 is prescribed Standard the De
partnent relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1t Is however proper TO state that lock suit
able the mail service should the following quail
tiles, vz durability, uniformity hghtness and strength
For the purpose OF dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into;
afterwards the annual supply viii depend on the dura
biity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail services but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand OF the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II t be like any already In
general use; viii any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, OF 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
tentee will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In of the failure Of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions OF his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter mon
toned TO annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals. and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem II expedient 10 select
for the through mails the lock one bidder and for the
way mails that of another He reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for a faithful performance OF the contract The
tract contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application win be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
~ X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.