American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-15
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFIoE DEPARTMENT,

j
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day OF July
next The different locks viii 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
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend continue the contract in force for add
tona 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. 4.
with view 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, now invited may
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tes viz durability, uniformity lightness and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required furnished by the contractor within
after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
by of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock win be considered II IL 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 pa
will he reouired on entering into 10 make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and BEN
eft Of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
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 to annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General deem IL expedien 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another He reserves therefore, the
right contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks Ms he NAV 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 viii 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
specton OF the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; the terms
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
/ N. X. HALL,
mar N- Postmaster General.