American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-14
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
pogT OFFICE Dep ApTNEyT 1


being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
L other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same 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
will practicable be entered into for fur.
nshng such locks and keys for four years with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract addi
tiona 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
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
parent relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop. 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
itics viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength.
FOR ue purpose OF dspiacihg simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in USE about thirty thousand
locke and twenty thousand keys win be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
blity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail services but il will probably never cx-
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If it be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, 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 be patented and the pa
tcntee will be required entering contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential TO the interests
service of the failure of the contractor any
time 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 to contract anew with
any other party parties as he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
with ample security in the of thirty thousand
lars faithful performance Of the contract The con.
tract contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon of the locks and keys aud 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 will be considered if not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract.
NJ X. HALL,
mar 81 Postmaster General.