Page 1 of 9 Pages

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

A-A-0059195G

22 October 2015

Superseding

A-A-0059195F

23 September 2015 

A-A-0059195E

1 September 2015

A-A-0059195D

25 March 2015

A-A-0059195C

20 August 2010

A-A-0059195B 24

June 2009

A-A-0059195A

27 May 2003

A-A-59195

28 March 1998

CONTAINER, THERMAL, SHIPPING, FOR MEDICAL MATERIEL REQUIRING

CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE RANGES

The General Services Administration has authorized the use of this interim Commercial

Item Description by all Federal Agencies. This document was developed by DLA Troop

Support, Medical Supply Chain, and is based upon currently available technical

information.

1. SCOPE

1.1 This Commercial Item Description covers the requirements and test procedures for

various types and sizes of fully-assembled thermal shipping containers.

1.2 Intended use. Containers shall be suitable for the shipment and storage of medical

materiel, pharmaceuticals, biologicals and specimens requiring constant chill or freeze

environment. Containers shall meet all requirements of the DLA Packaging Protocols for

Medical Temperature Sensitive Products.

2. CLASSIFICATION

AMSC N/A FSC 8115

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc. and any other

data which may be used to improve this document should be sent to: DLA Troop Support,

Medical Supply Chain, ATTN: FS, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092, by letter

or using the self-addressed Standardization Document Improvement Proposal, (DD Form 1426)

appearing at the end of this document.

INCH-POUND
Page 2 of 9 Pages

A-A-0059195G

2.1 Containers covered by this document shall be suitable for use for freeze or

chill shipments and shall be the following sizes:

Size 1 - Small

Size 2 - Medium

Size 3 - Large

Size 4 - XLarge

2.1.1 Required size(s) shall be specified in the contract or purchase order (see 7.2).

3. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

3.1 Material.

3.1.1 Insulation material. Insulation material shall be polyurethane, shall be

chlorofluorocarbon-free (CFC), and shall provide required thermal and structural characteristics

as specified herein.

3.1.1.2 Container bottom and 4 side walls. Polyurethane foam used to construct the

container bottom and sides shall be CFC-free rigid high strength polyurethane foam conforming

to MIL-PRF-83671B, class 1, category 2. To insure optimum thermal efficiency, construction of

the insulation component of the container shall be a single construction with no seams or bonds.

The bottom and 4 side walls of the polyurethane insulation shall be formed in one single

operation. There shall be no seams or points in the insulation side wall and base material. A

full bond shall exist between the insulation material and the contact surfaces of the inner liner

and the outer container. Panel construction or the use of successive steps in the formation of the

side walls and base shall not be acceptable.

3.1.1.3 Insulation closure (plug). Polyurethane foam used to construct the separate

insulation closure (plug) shall be CFC-free flexible polyurethane foam conforming to

MIL-PRF-83671B, class 2, grade B. Dimensions shall be as specified in 7.2, Table II. Closure of

the insulated container shall maintain integrity of the seal for the life of the container.

III.

3.1.1.4 Insulation wall thickness. Insulation wall thickness shall be as specified in 7.2, table

3.1.2 Inner liner and outer container. Inner liner and outer container shall be furnished in

the sizes indicated herein and as specified in the contract or order.

3.1.2.1 Inner liner. Inner liner shall be constructed of C flute, corrugated fiberboard

conforming to ASTM D 4727, class domestic, having a minimum bursting strength of 200

pounds. Liner shall be style RSC, shall have a half-slotted center body. The liner flutes shall be

perpendicular to the top of the box. The liner joint shall be butted and shall be located in one of

the corners of the liner, in accordance with figure 1. The liner joint shall be taped with suitable

pressure-sensitive tape.

3.1.2.2 Outer container. Outer container shall be constructed of C flute, corrugated

fiberboard conforming to ASTM D 4727, class domestic, having a minimum bursting strength of

200 pounds. Outer container shall be in accordance with ASTM D 5118, style RSC.

3.2 Cavity, cargo box insert, and fiberboard barrier dimensions.
Page 3 of 9 Pages

A-A-0059195G

3.2.1 Cavity. Cavity dimensions shall be as specified in the contract or purchase order (see

7.2).

3.2.2 Cargo box insert. Cargo box insert dimensions shall be as specified in 7.2, table I. The

cargo box insert shall be designed for a type 2 load and shall conform to ASTM D 5118, style

RSC, class domestic. The box shall be constructed of C-flute, corrugated fiberboard in 

accordance with ASTM D 4727, having a minimum bursting strength of 200 pounds. The

corrugate direction shall be vertical and the manufacturer’s joint shall be inside.

3.2.3 Fiberboard Barrier. Fiberboard barrier dimensions shall be as specified in 7.2, Table

IV. The fiberboard barrier shall be constructed of 275# B/C-flute, corrugated fiberboard in

accordance with ASTM D 4727. The corrugate direction shall be vertical.

3.3 Design. The design of the fabricated container shall be in accordance with figure 1,

except a fiberboard barrier, which shall also be included in each container, as specified in

3.2.3 and 7.2, Table IV.

3.4 Thermal requirements. The container shall support the DLA “Packaging Protocols for

Medical Temperature Sensitive Products Requiring Storage Temperatures between 2oC – 8oC

(36oF – 46oF)" without change or exception so as to maintain the temperature range of 2oC – 8oC

for a minimum of 72 hrs in accordance with stated ambient requirements of Cold Weather (below

55oF), Moderate Weather (between 55oF and 77oF), and Warm Weather (above 77oF) (see 7.6.1.2).

3.4.1 Design criteria. The design criteria required are as follows:

3.4.1.1 Profiles:

Warm: + 18oC for 18 hrs, + 30oC for 6 hours

Moderate: +14oC for 72 hrs

Cold: +13oC for 18hrs, – 10oC for 6 hrs

3.4.1.2 Probe Locations. Top center (inside) of the cargo space box.

3.4.1.3 Cargo loads. All refrigerated materiel placed into the cargo area, to include the

cargo load, must be preconditioned to 4°C prior to use. Refrigerated gel packs and test cargo

should be preconditioned in a single layer, inside a refrigerator maintaining 4°C for a minimum

of 24 hrs. Any frozen gel packs should be preconditioned in a single layer, inside a freezer

maintaining –17° C for a minimum of 24 hrs. Cargo loads shall be as follows:

Small 14 x Cartons* (28 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

Medium 32 x Cartons* (64 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

Large 88 x Cartons* (176 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

XLarge 198 x Cartons* (396 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

* 1 x Carton is made of chipboard or paperboard, and contains 2 x 5 mL plastic

vials, each vial contains 5 mL liquid fill.
Page 4 of 9 Pages

A-A-0059195G

3.5 Workmanship. Workmanship shall be first class throughout. The thermal shipping

container, including all components, shall be free from defects which detract from its appearance

or impair its serviceability.

4. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder. If the

product covered by this document has been determined by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration to be under its jurisdiction, the offeror/contractor shall comply, and be

responsible for compliance by its subcontractors/ suppliers, with the requirements of the Federal

Food, Drug and Cosmetic requirements of all other applicable Federal, State, and local statutes,

ordinances, and regulations.

4.2 Recovered materials. The offeror/contractor is encouraged to use recovered materials in

accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 23.403 to the maximum

extent practical.

5. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

5.1 Product conformance. The products provided shall meet the salient characteristics of

this commercial item description, conform to the producer’s own drawings, specifications,

standards, and quality assurance practices, and be the same product offered for sale in the

commercial market. The government reserves the right to require proof of such conformance.

5.2 Metric products. Products manufactured to metric dimensions will be considered on an

equal basis with those manufactured using standard inch/pound measurements.

5.3 Bid sample. The company producing the item shall provide a sample of the item it is

bidding on for evaluation to the contracting officer. The contracting officer shall take

appropriate action to determine if the sample provided meets the requirements of this

specification. Pending approval of the bid sample, acquisition of materials, components, or

commencement of production is at the sole risk of the contractor.

5.4 First article. Prior to the start of the contract, samples of the completed item shall be

tested by the contractor. The samples shall be submitted, together with the contractor’s

inspection and test reports, to the procuring contracting officer for examination and testing to

determine compliance with the requirements of the specification. Written approval of the

materials, construction, and performance of the sample shall be obtained from the procuring

contracting officer, or his authorized representative, prior to the manufacture and assembly of

the remaining quality to be manufactured. Pending approval of the first articles, acquisition of

materials, components or commencement of production is at the sole risk of the contractor.

Accepted sample shall become the property of the procuring activity and shall be included in the

quantity called for in the contract or order. In the event that the sample is not approved, the

contractor shall submit a new sample for approval or modify the existing sample to remove the

deficiencies cited.

5.4.1 Thermal insulation quality. Testing of thermal insulation quality shall be conducted

in accordance with ASTM D 3103.
Page 5 of 9 Pages

A-A-0059195G

5.4.2 Thermal conductivity. Determination of thermal conductivity shall be conducted in

accordance with ASTM C 177.

5.4.3 Drop test. Drop test shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM D 5276, using a

fully packed and sealed thermal shipping container. There shall be three successive drops (one

on a face, one on an edge and one on a top corner) from a height of 40 inches onto a concrete

surface. The container shall be examined after the third drop. There shall be no visible cracks

in the insulation, and there shall be no damage to the product.

5.4.3.1 Drop test packing requirement. Drop test packing requirements shall be as follows:

Small 14 x Cartons* (28 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

Medium 32 x Cartons* (64 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

Large 88 x Cartons* (176 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

XLarge 198 x Cartons* (396 x 5 mL Vials, each with 5 mL water fill)

* 1 x Carton is made of chipboard or paperboard, and contains 2 x 5 mL plastic

vials, each vial contains 5 mL liquid fill.

5.5 Other quality assurance provisions. Shall meet all quality assurance provisions of the

contract and/or purchase order.

6. PACKAGING

6.1 Preservation. Preservation shall be commercial.

6.1.1 Unit. Each (EA). One fully-assembled thermal shipping container, as specified,

constitutes one unit. A fully assembled unit shall consist of the following parts:

a. Insulated shipping container inner liner and outer container

b. Cargo box insert

c. Fiberboard barrier

d. Insulation closure plug

6.1.2 Packing. Each fully-assembled thermal shipping container shall require no

overpacking.

6.2 Unitization. Fully-assembled thermal shipping containers shall be uniformly unitized

in accordance with commercial practice.

6.3 Marking.
Page 6 of 9 Pages

A-A-0059195G

6.3.1 Unit. Each fully-assembled thermal shipping container shall be marked

in accordance with commercial practice. Marking shall include the boxmaker’s

certificate and any additional markings specified in the contract or order.

6.3.2 Unitized load. Each unitized load shall be marked with the National

Stock Number (NSN) or commercial part number (P/N) and container size, the

quantity and unit of issue, contract/order number, manufacturer’s name and date

of manufacture, and any additional markings specified in the contract or

purchase order.

7. NOTES

7.1 Ordering data. Acquisition documents shall specify the following:

a. Title, number and date of this document.

b. NSN (when applicable).

c. Container type, size and dimension requirements. Dimension

requirements shall include cavity size, insulation wall thickness, insulation

closure (plug) thickness, inside cargo box insert dimensions, fiberboard barrier

dimensions, and outer container dimensions.

7.2 Dimension requirements. The following tables are provided for

information. The required type and dimensions (cavity dimensions, insulation

wall thickness, insulation closure (plug) thickness, fiberboard barrier dimensions,

inside cargo box insert dimensions, and outer dimensions) for the thermal

shipping container shall be as specified in the contract or purchase order.

TABLE I. Thermal Shipping Containers. 1/

SIZE DIMENSIONS (Length x Width x Height (inches))

Outer Container (OD)

(+/- 0.375")

Inside Cavity

(ID, Below Plug)

(+/- 0.188")

Inside Cargo Box Insert (OD)

(+/- 0.125")

Small 15.75" x 12.75" x 14.25" 11.0" x 8.0" x 7.0" 10.75" x 6.50" x 4.0"

Medium 18.75" x 12.75" x 17.25" 14.0" x 8.0" x 10.0" 12.0" x 6.5" x 6.5"

Large 23.25" x 19.25" x 19.25" 18.5" x 14.50" x 12" 16.50" x 12.0" x 7.0"

Extra Large 23.25" x 23" x 24" 18.5" x 18.25" x 16.75" 18.0" x 14.5" x 12.0"

1/ These containers are designed for use for "ANY TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE PRODUCT" and are

acceptable for use with packaging protocols (see 3.4). These containers maintain the required temperature

as indicated in the applicable protocol for at least 72 hours during shipment.
Page 7 of 9 Pages

A-A-0059195G

TABLE II. Insulation Closure (Plug).

SIZE DIMENSIONS (Length x Width x Height (inches))

Small 11.2” x 8.2” x 4” (+/-0.125”)

Medium 14.2” x 8.2” x 4” (+/-0.125”)

Large 18.75” x 14.75” x 4” (+/-0.125”)

XLarge 18.7” x 18.7” x 4” (+/-0.125”)

TABLE III. Insulation Wall.

SIZE THICKNESS (inches)

Small 2” (+/-0.25”)

Medium 2” (+/-0.125”)

Large 2” (+/-0.25”)

XLarge 2” (+/-0.25”)

TABLE IV. Fiberboard Barrier.

SIZE DIMENSIONS (Length x Width (inches))

Small 10.75" x 7.75" (+/- 0.125")

Medium 13.75" x 7.75" (+/- 0.125")

Large 18.25" x 14.25" (+/- 0.125")

XLarge 18.25" x 18" (+/- 0.125")

7.6 Sources of referenced documents.

7.6.1 Government documents.
Page 8 of 9 Pages

A-A-0059195G 

7.6.1.1 The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is available from the Food and Drug

Administration, Washington, DC 20204.

7.6.1.2 For use in meeting thermal requirements, the following Regulation is available

at http://www.dscc.dla.mil/Offices/packaging/medical.asp: 

DLAR 4145.21 – Preparation of Medical Temperature-Sensitive Products Requiring

Freeze or Refrigerated (Chill) Environments for Shipment

Attachment 1 – Packaging Protocols for Medical Temperature Sensitive Products

 Requiring Storage Temperatures between 2oC – 8oC (36oF – 46oF)

7.6.1.3 The following Military Specification is available from the Defense Automation and

Production Service, Bldg 4/D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094:

MIL-PRF-83671B - Foam-in-Place Packaging Materials, General Specification for

7.6.2 Non-Government documents. 

7.6.2.1 The following documents are available for purchase from ASTM International,

100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959:

C 177 – Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and

Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Guarded-Hot-Plate

Apparatus

D 3103 – Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Quality of Packages

D 4727 – Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock

(Container Grade) and Cut Shape

D 5118 – Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping Boxes

D 5276 – Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall

MILITARY INTERESTS:

Custodians: Preparing Activity:

Army - MD DoD-MB

Navy - MS

Air Force – 03 Agent:

 DLA-DM

Review activities: HQ DLA J-3732

DLA Distribution
A-A-0059195G

D

F

E

(REVISED 22 October 2015)