American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-28
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Adrcb ID 1851

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, .
March IA, 1851. +
TT being desirable to substitute locks keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posals furnish the same will be received considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
tracts will practicable, be entered into for
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
to extend and continue the contract In force for add
onal 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
with 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 Il is however proper to state that lock suit
tics viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
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 it will probably
coed In amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If 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 win be required ON entering contract TO make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and
eft OF the Department, 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 to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned annu said contract and to 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 1t expedent to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that of another He reserves, therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. If 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 Is to contain provisions for the due and proper
spection of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the Of
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application viii be considered IL accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
NJ X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.