Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-26
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS ANDKEYs.

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
March ID, 1851.
TT 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 proposals tournish The 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, as soon practicable,
be entered into tor furnishing such locks and KEYS for
four ears, with the right the part of the Postmaster
General for the time being to extend and continue the
contract in force for additional term of four years bv
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.
With view OF procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no kind ofock spescribed standard the De-
parment relying tor selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited,
may develop. 1t is, however proper to state that a
lock suitable tor the mai service should possess the fol-
lowing qualtlesvlz. durability, uniformity lightness
and strength
For the purpose OF dsplacing 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
in seven months after the contract shall have been on
eredinto; afterwards the annual supply will depend
on the durability OF the locks and keys adopted, as
well as tine increase OF the mail service; but will pros
ably never exceed in amount three thous of the for.
mer and one thousand of the latter
No lock will be considered if it be like apv already
IN general use; nor will any with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed make sell or furnish
any lock or key similar to those contracted for for any
partment.
The kind OF lock adopted must be patented and the
patentee will be required, entering into contract 10
make an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit ofhe Departmental the Postmaster General
shall deem such requirement essential TO the interests
OF the service. In of the ia lure 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 heren-
after mentoned to annu said contract and 10 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
Tered, the Postmaster General may deem it expedient
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 as he may Sc
lect, and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals, il 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 peror-
| nance of the contract. The contract is to contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection of The locks
and keys and ALSO guarding against their passing into
improper hands; the terms OF these provisions to be ar
ranged between the Department aud the successful bid
der 1t bid should be accepted
No application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
OF the bidder, and OF his ability fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
NH 2l-lawt1Jy