American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-15
SHIRTSl SHIRTS |
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I

IOST OfFlCb
March Ia, 1851
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with
posa 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 commits
sion for examination and report. Upon this report con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add-
ona term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 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, kind of lock il prescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1T Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz: durability uniformity lghtness and strength,
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
bity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail servce but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If It be like any already
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind OF lock adopted must be and the pa
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In 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 annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may M for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem expeen 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. If 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
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General