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 and preservation standards applicable to DoD contracts. It identifies packaging requirement locations within standard solicitation sections (Section D for Packaging & Marking) and references key specifications including MIL-STD-2073-1E for military packaging, ASTM D-3951 for commercial packaging, MIL-STD-129 for markings, 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 document outlines five basic military preservation methods (Method 10 through 50) ranging from physical protection alone to watervaporproof protection with desiccant, detailing appropriate containers and procedures for each. It establishes two primary military packing levels: Level A for severe worldwide conditions and Level B for moderate conditions. The guide includes detailed illustrations of specific packaging methods (Methods 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, and 52), explains packaging requirement codes used in contracts, provides marking examples for unit/intermediate and exterior containers, and covers special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, electrostatic discharge sensitive devices, hazardous materials, heat-treated wood, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Quality assurance provisions require preservation and packing inspections, leakage testing, and heat-sealed seam testing per MIL-STD-3010. The document serves as an informational reference only and does not supersede actual contractual requirements or specifications.