MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide for packaging and marking procedures applicable to Department of Defense contracts and solicitations. Published by the Defense Contract Management Agency in March 2014, this non-official booklet provides instruction on packaging requirements for federal contract opportunities without superseding contractual requirements, specifications, or regulations.

The guide addresses military packaging standards, commercial packaging alternatives, hazardous materials handling, and preservation methods. It details five basic military preservation methods: Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating), Method 30 (waterproof protection), Method 40 (watervaporproof protection), and Method 50 (watervaporproof protection with desiccant). The document specifies packing levels (Level A for severe worldwide conditions; Level B for moderate conditions) and provides visual examples of Methods 31-45 showing interior and exterior container configurations. It includes guidance on packaging requirement codes (PRCs), quality assurance provisions including visual examinations and leakage testing, and marking requirements for unit packs, intermediate containers, and exterior shipping containers using military standard MIL-STD-129. Special markings cover shelf-life, project codes, fragile/delicate items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, hazardous materials, electrostatic discharge sensitive devices, heat-treated wood packaging materials, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags per DFARS Clause 252.211-7006. Key specifications referenced include MIL-STD-2073-1E (military packaging), MIL-DTL-117 (heat-sealable bags), ASTM D3951 (commercial packaging), and MIL-STD-147 (palletization standards).