The republic., 1851-04-10
FURnIsaIra MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OrrIcE DxpARrMEsr,
MARCH ID 1881

PosT OFrIcE DxPARrMESr,
MARCH IA, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to snbstitute locks and
keys of some other kind for those now in use for
the mail service Of the United States. specimen
locks and keys, with proposals 10 furnish the same
will be received and considered at the Post Office
Department until the first day of July next. The
different locks will be submitted TO acommission
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will, as soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locI<s 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 an additional term OF four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
to that effect, not than nine nor less than ak
months before the termination Of tho drst term Of
four years.
With view Of procuring the beat lock at the
lowest price, no kind Of lock is prescribed as o
standard. the Department relying for selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. 1t is how
ever, proper to state that a lock suitabe for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz (; durability, uniformity, lightncss, and
strength.
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand new looks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required to be furnished 6y
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into afterwards the
annual supply will depend ON the durability OF the
locks and keys adopted, as well as the increase of
the mail service; but it win probably never exceed
in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If it be like anv al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, SELL
or furnish any lock key similar to those con-
tracted for for any other purpose use than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentec will be required on entering into con-
tract, to make an assignment of his patent for tho
exclusive use and benefit of the Department 81 the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests Of the service In case Of
the failure OF the contractor at any time to fui6l
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contract
the Postmaster General shall have the right be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men,
with any other party parties al he may see t for
furnishing similar locks and keys. isss
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem il expe-
dent to select for the through mails the lock Of one
bidder, and for the way mails that of another He
reserves, therefore, the right of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds Of
locks as nc may select, and also the right to reject
all the specimens and proposals., if he shall deem
party or parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security, in the sum of
thirty thousand dollars for faithful performance
of the contract The contract il to contain provi-
sions for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys and also for guarding Against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms of these provi-
sions to be arranged between the Department and
the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered il not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence Of the trustwor-
thy character Of the bidder, and Of his ability to
fulfil the contract.
NJ K HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar 17-lawtjy1