Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 74.djvu/739

 74

STAT.]

PUBLIC LAW 86-682-SEPT. 2, 1960

(2) require due celerity, certainty, and security in the performance of the service, (b) The Postmaster General may disregard the bid of a person who willfully or negligently failed to perform a former contract. § 6412. Advertisements for mail transportation contracts When advertising is required by law, the Postmaster General shall advertise, for a period of not less than 30 days, for bids for a contract for transporting the mails, unless he shall publish with the advertisement a finding that the public exigencies surrounding the particular contract require a shorter period. The advertisement shall be conspicuously posted in each post office to be served under the contract. § 6413. Exceptions from advertisement requirements Section 6412 does not apply to contracts for the transportation of mail— (a) by mail messengers under sections 6403 and 6423 of this title; (b) by highway post office service under sections 6351 to 6355 of this title; or (c) by steamships under sections 6405 and 6408 of this title. § 6414. Procedures after default of bidder or contractor (a) If an accepted bidder or contractor for the transportation of mail defaults on his bid or contract, the Postmaster General shall contract with the next lowest bidder who will enter into a contract for the service in accordance with his bid, unless he considers the bid too high. If he considers the bid too high, he may contract with any person, giving preference to regular bidders for the service, who will enter into a contract to perform the service at a lower price. (b) The Postmaster General shall require each person contracting under this section to furnish a bond of like tenor, effect, and penalty as that required in the advertisement of the route. Contracts made under this section shall contain the same terms and provisions as those prescribed for similar service. (c) If a satisfactory contract cannot be secured under this section, the Postmaster General may procure temporary service in accordance with section 6412 or 6415 of this title. § 6415. Temporary mail contracts (a) The Postmaster General may make temporary contracts without advertising for the transportation of mail on routes for terms of not more than one year, if— (1) a new route is established; (2) a, new service is required; or (3) for any other reason there is no regular contract for service on the route. (b) Temporary service rendered necessary by reason of the default of an accepted bidder or of a contractor may be obtained at a rate which the Postmaster General deems reasonable and the cost shall be charged to the bidder or contractor. § 6416. Renewal of contracts (a) The Postmaster General, by mutual agreement with the holder of a star route, contract motor vehicle service or water route contract and without advertising may renew the contract for successive terms, of not more than four years each, at the rate of compensation prevailing at the end of the preceding contract term. The contractor shall give such bond as the Postmaster General requires. (b) If a contractor has sublet the service in accordance with law and does not indicate in writing to the Postmaster General at

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