American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-08
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AMI, KEYS.
Poser Oprfcp Drp pTMrvT

s5s5f d sorta L3IsTs' March IA 1851 Z
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
other kind for those In for the mall service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas to furnish the same viii 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
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nhng 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
tona of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect than nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
with view Of procuring the bost lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed standard the De
parment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited,
develop. 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, 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 win be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
biity of the locks and keys adopted, well the
crease of the mail service but it viii probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter. DfN.
general nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make sell, furnish, any
purpose or use than that OF the Post onoe Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the
tentee will be required entering into conrac tomake
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive ben.
eft of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential TO the interests 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 anul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may for furnishing
similar looks and keys. 4 .5F
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem It e1pedent to select
for the through mails the lock of one bidder and for the
% &, % pen or e
different kinds OF locks as he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will 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 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 of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
~ N. K HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.