MIL-STD-2073.pdf

This is an informational guide on packaging and marking requirements for Department of Defense contracts, 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 solicitations and contracts. Key packaging standards referenced include MIL-STD-2073-1E (Standard Practice for Military Packaging), ASTM D3951 (Commercial Packaging), and modal regulations for hazardous materials (Title 49 CFR for land transport, 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 (physical protection), Method 20 (preservative coating only), Method 30 (waterproof protection), Method 40 (watervaporproof protection), and Method 50 (watervaporproof with desiccant). Military packing requirements are classified into two levels—Level A for severe worldwide conditions and Level B for moderate conditions—with specified container types for each. The guide details packaging requirement codes (PRCs) used in contracts, container selection criteria, cushioning specifications, and marking standards per MIL-STD-129, including identification markings, bar code requirements, address markings using Military Shipping Labels, and special markings for shelf-life, project codes, fragile items, Method 50 packages, expedited handling, hazardous materials, and heat-treated wood packaging materials. Quality assurance provisions require visual preservation examinations, leakage testing, and heat-sealed seam testing per specified methodologies.