American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-25
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
bI1y-rb IA 1gh1

u
March IA, 1851 I
T. being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
i other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same win 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
nishing such locks and KEYS for four years with the right
on the part ohe Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal term of four 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
Of four years.
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard, the
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop ~ 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 dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys win be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dnra-
bility of the locks and keys adopted MS wen a. the in
of the mail service but it will probably never
coed in amount three thousand of the former one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If IL be like any already IN
general use; nor win any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose or use than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee will be required on entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft Of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement 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 herenafter mar
toned TO annul said contract and to contract anew with
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem it 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 to reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 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
spection 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, if bid should be accepted
No application win be considered il not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and OF his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar "a Postmaster General.