Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-10
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
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- March d. 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute 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 to.urnsh the same will be received
and considered at the Post Office Department until the
first day of July next. The different locks will be sub
United to commission for examination and report
Upon this report, contracts will practicable
be entered into for furnishing such locks and keys for
four years. with the right the part of the Postmaster
General tor 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 that effect
not more than nine 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 otloek prescribed standard; the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited,
may develop. 1t is, however, proper to state, that
lock suitable for the mail service should the fol-
lowing qualitesviz. durability, uniformity, lghtness
and strength.
For the purpose OF displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now IN uSe about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto
will be required to be furnished by the contractor with
10 seven months after the contract shall have been
tered into afterwards the annual supply will depend
the durability OF the locks and keys adopted, as
well as tine increase OF the mail service; but will pro-
badly exceed in amount three thousand OF the for
mer and one thousand OF the latter
No lock will be considered if it be like any already
in general use; nor will any with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make, sell, or furnish
any lock key similar those contracted for for any
partment.
The kind oflock adopted must be patented, and the
patentee will be required on entering into contract to
make assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit ofthe Departmental the Postmaster General
shall deem such requirement essential to the interests
of the service In of the ia ure 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 pena remedy herein
after mentioned annul said contract and TO contract
anew with any other party parties as he may see
fit for furnishing similar locks and keys
10 deciding upon the proposals and specimens Of
fered, the Postmaster General may deem it expedient
to select for the through mails the lock of one bidder,
and tor the way mails that of another. He reserves
therefore, the right OF contracting with different ndi
vduas for such different kinds OF locks he may
lect, and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals, if he shall deem that for the interest
of the Department. The party or parties contracting
will be required to give bond, with ample security in
the of thirty thousand dollars, for faithful peror
nance of the contract The contract is to contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection oflhe locks
and keys and also, guarding against their passing into
improper hands, the terms OF these provisions to be
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der if bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
of the bidder, and his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
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