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 guidance on military packaging standards, preservation methods, and marking requirements applicable to DoD contracts. Key packaging standards referenced include MIL-STD-2073-1E (Standard Practice for Military Packaging), ASTM D-3951 (Commercial Packaging for items like immediate use, depot consumption, and small parcel shipments), and modal regulations for hazardous materials (Title 49 CFR for land, IMO/IMDG for water, ICAO/IATA for commercial air, and AFMAN 24-204_IP for military air). The five basic military preservation methods are Method 10 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating only), Method 30 (waterproof protection), Method 40 (watervaporproof protection), and Method 50 (watervaporproof protection with desiccant). Packaging requirements are located throughout solicitation documents in Sections A through J, with detailed specifications found in CIDs, military specifications, aperture cards, drawings, special packaging instructions, and DLA master solicitations. Quality assurance provisions in Appendix G require visual preservation examinations, leakage tests, and heat-sealed seam tests. Package markings must include identification markings (NSN, CAGE code, part number, nomenclature, quantity, contract number, military method and preservation date, weight, shelf life, and serial numbers), bar code markings, address markings using Military Shipping Labels with TCN and DODAAC information, and special markings for hazardous materials, shelf-life items, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, and heat-treated wood packaging materials. The guide includes examples of unit, intermediate, and exterior container labels with both linear and 2D barcode formats, Military Shipping Label examples, and special marking requirements for shelf-life, project codes, fragile/delicate items, Method 50 packages, electrostatic discharge sensitive devices, expedited handling (999 designation), and DOT hazardous materials labeling.