Marking and Packing Guide

There are two levels of standards for packaging items purchased by DLA

Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging, ASTM D3951 (click here)
DOD Standard Practice for Military Packaging, MIL-STD-2073 (click here)

DLA provides a great deal of information on marking and packaging at DLA Packaging

The solicitation document will specify which standard applies. From 40 to 50% of solicitations use the commercial option.

In the case of MIL-STD -2073, you can comply with in-house resources or use the services of a commercial MIL Spec packaging service. Google "mil spec pack ship" to search for commercial providers.

For MIL-STD -2073, the coded requirements might look like the following:

PRES MTHD: 11
CLNG/DRY: 3
PRESV MAT: 21
WRAP MAT: CA
CUSH/DUNN MAT: AH
CUSH/DUNN THKNESS: A
UNIT CONT: A3
OPI: A
INTRMDTE CONT: ZZ
INTRMDTE CONT QTY: ZZZ
PACK CODE: 7

Leidos provides a code lookup utility HERE that is quite handy. Using the example codes above, your requirements would be:

Method of Preservation	11	MIL-STD-2073-1B/2C Code: Method 20 (formerly Method I) - Must have preservative coating (greaseproof wrap, MIL-B-121,as required.
Cleaning &Drying	3	MIL-STD-2073-1B/2C Code: Two-step petroleum solvent.
Preservative Material		MIL-PRF-16173, Grade 5, corrosion preventive, solvent cutback, water displacing soft film, low pressure steam removable
Wrapping Material	CA	A-A-203, kraft wrapping paper.
Cushioning Material	AH	MIL-STD-2073-1B/2C Code: MIL-F-81334, foam, plastic, flexible, open cell, polyester-type, poly-urethane grades 1 and 2
Cushioning Thickness	A	1/4 inch thick.
U/I Container	A3	MIL-STD-2073-1B/2C Code: Bags made of material conforming to MIL-B-121. Closure shall be by heat seal only.
Packing	7	Packing shall be accomplished using cleated-plywood boxes conforming to ASTMD6251, Type III, Class 1 (domestic), or nailed wood boxes conforming to PPP-B- 621, Class 1, or wirebound boxes conforming to PPP-B-585, Class 1.
Unit Container Level	B	Unit container provides level B packing protection.
Optional Procedures	A	Packaging is in accordance with a procedural specification or a SPI. The appropriate specification number will be shown in-the-clear in the supplemental data area.