Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-26
SIX DOLLARS PER ANNuJu.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
- March ID, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
keys OF some other kind for those for the
mail service of the United States specimen locks and
KEYS, with proposals tounsh the same, will be received
and considered at the Post Office Department until the
hrst day OF July next. The different locks will be sub
United to commission for examination and report
upon TINS report contracts will, as practicable,
pc entered INTO tor furnishing such locks and keys for
four years, with the right the part of the Postmaster
General tor the time being to extend and continue the
contract in force for additional term of four years. by
giving to the contractors written notice to that effect,
not more 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 prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited.
may develop. 1t is, however, proper to state that
lock suitable for the mail service should possess the fol-
lowing qualities,viz. durability uniformity, lightness
and strength
For the purpose of dspacng 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 en-
tered into; afterwards the annual supply will depend
on the durability OF the locks and keys adopted, as
well as tine increase OF the mail services but will pro-
oaby never exceed in amount three thousand of the for
mer and one thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered if it be like any already
IN general use; nor will any one with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish
any lock or key similar to those contracted for for any
other purpose than that Of the Pott Office De-
partment.
The kind oflock adopted must be patented, and the
patenee will be required on entering into contract to
make an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit othe 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 to the penal remedy herein
after mentioned to annu said contract and to contract
anew with any other party parties as he may see
III, for furnishing similar locks and KEYS.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens Of
tered, the Postmaster General may deem it expedeut
to 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 ind
viduas for such different kinds Of locks as he may Sc
ec and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals, if he shall deem that for the interest
of the Department The party or parties contracting
will be required to give bond with ample security in
the of thirty thousand dollars for faithful perfor-
nance of the contract. The contract is to contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection ofthe locks
and keys, and also, guarding against their passing into
improper hands,; the terms oftlese provisions to be
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der, if bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
of the bidder and ohis ability to fulfil the contract
N. K HALL Postmaster General.