MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This document is a Packaging and Marking Guide for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, prepared by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) in March 2014 as an informational resource for familiarization purposes only.

The guide provides comprehensive guidance on military packaging and preservation standards applicable to DoD solicitations and contracts. It details the locations of packaging requirements within contract sections (primarily Section D for Packaging & Marking) and references relevant standards including MIL-STD-2073-1E (Standard Practice for Military Packaging), ASTM D-3951 (Commercial Packaging), and hazardous materials regulations (Title 49 CFR, IMO/IMDG, ICAO/IATA, AFMAN 24-204). The guide outlines 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 presents detailed visual examples of Methods 31-45 for various packaging configurations ranging from simple waterproof bags to complex multi-level containment systems with rigid containers. The document specifies marking requirements per MIL-STD-129 for identification, bar codes, address markings, and special markings (shelf-life, project codes, fragile, Method 50, expedited handling, hazardous materials). Additional guidance covers Packaging Requirement Codes (PRC) per MIL-STD-20731E(1), quality assurance provisions including preservation and leakage testing, pallet loading standards (MIL-STD-147), heat-treated wood packaging material requirements, and RFID tag specifications. The guide serves as a reference tool for understanding contractual packaging obligations rather than establishing binding requirements.