MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide on packaging and marking requirements for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and solicitations, published by the Defense Contract Management Agency in March 2014.

The guide provides comprehensive instruction on military packaging standards applicable to items requiring protection during shipment and storage. It identifies packaging requirement locations within solicitations (Sections A through J), establishes five basic preservation methods (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50), and details specific packing levels (Level A for severe conditions and Level B for moderate conditions). The document specifies that hazardous materials must comply with Title 49 CFR for land transport, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air, with markings per MIL-STD-129. Key standards referenced include MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging, ASTM D-3951 for commercial packaging (appropriate for items intended for immediate use or depot consumption), MIL-DTL-117 for heat-sealable bags, and MIL-STD-129 for shipping container markings. The guide covers identification markings (NSN, CAGE code, part number, contract number, preservation method and date), bar code requirements, address markings via Military Shipping Label, and special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packaging, expedited handling, hazardous materials, electrostatic discharge sensitive devices, heat-treated wood packaging material, RFID tags, and palletization per MIL-STD-147. Quality assurance provisions require visual preservation examinations, leakage testing, and heat-sealed seam testing. The document is explicitly identified as unofficial, informational only, and not intended to supersede contractual requirements or regulations.