The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-04

Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
MARCH IA. 1851.

MARCH IA, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE 70 substitute locks and
u 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 furnish the same
will be received and considered ct the Post Office
Department until the first day Of July next. The
different locks will be submitted to . commi1ion
for examination and report. Upon this report
contracts will, AZ a. practicable. be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
General for the time being 70 extend and continue
the contract in force for additional term Of four
years, by giving TO the contractor written notice
to that effect, not moro than nino lcsa than six
months before the termination Of the first term of
four years.
with view Of procuring the best lock 1t the
lowest price, no kind of lock l. prescribed q q
standard, the Department relying for . selection
ON the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. It IL, how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties. viz durability, uniformity, hghtness, and
strength. s7 "a.
For the purpose Of dispIacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now In use, about thirty
adapted thereto will be required to be Mrnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted. well a. the increase of
the mail seryicc; but it will probably exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
No lock will be considered if it be like any 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 or key similar to those con-
racted for for any other purpose than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentce will be required, entering into con-
tract, to make assignment of his patent for the
exclusive and benefit of the Department, If 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 70 1fufl
faithfully the tcrs and conditions of his contract.
the Postmaster General shall have the right, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned, to annu said contract, and to contract anew
with any other partyor parties he may fit, for
furnishing simiiar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem Il expo
bidder aud for the way mails that of another. He
reserves, therefore, the right Of contracting with
different individuals for such different, kinds of
locks be may select, and also the right TO reject
all the specimens and proposals, If he shall deem
that course for the interest of the Department The
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 duo and proper inspection of the locks
and keys, and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper banda; 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 If not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence Of the trustwor
thy character Of the bidder, and Of his ability to
NIX. HALL. Postmaster General.