American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-23
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
posr OFYrcr DEPARTMENT.

March Ia, 1851. I
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
other kind for those in use for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and Keys with pro-
posas to furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts will practicable, be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal term of 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 view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De
partmcnt relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop is however proper 70 state that lock suit
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtess and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto viii be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply win depend the dra-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted well the
of the mail servce but 10 will probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If II be like any already in
may be made be allowed to make SELL or 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
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure OF the contractor at 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
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may see fit for furnishing
similar locks and Keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 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 for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. IL be shall
deem 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 contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton OF the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, 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 d. Postmaster General.