MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide prepared by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) regarding packaging and marking requirements for Department of Defense contracts and solicitations.

The guide provides comprehensive guidance on proper packaging and preservation methods for items delivered to the DoD, including identification of where packaging requirements are typically located within solicitation documents (Sections D, J, and related attachments). It emphasizes that hazardous materials must be packaged according to applicable modal regulations (Title 49 CFR for land transport, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air) and marked per MIL-STD-129. The document details the five basic preservation methods: Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating), Method 30 (waterproof protection), Method 40 (watervaporproof protection), and Method 50 (watervaporproof with desiccant). It includes visual examples of each method's application, container types, and appropriate use cases. Additionally, the guide covers commercial packaging standards (ASTM D-3951), military packaging standards (MIL-STD-2073-1E with Change 1), packaging requirement codes (PRCs), quality assurance provisions, marking requirements for identification/bar codes/address information, special markings (shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 indicators, expedited handling, hazardous materials), palletization standards (MIL-STD-147), RFID requirements, and references key specifications and useful websites for packaging compliance.