Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program Requirements for Operational 

Rations

Applicable to all Operational Rations Facilities

15 November 2017

I. Scope and Applicability: 

A. All contractors and/or subcontractors who manufacture, repackage, store, 

assemble, or ship Government Furnished Material (GFM) and/or Contractor Furnished 

Material (CFM) used in the production and/or assembly of operational rations are 

required to have an integrated pest management program in place. The IPM program 

implemented needs to adequately protect products from infestation and/or 

contamination by insects (or other arthropods), rodents, birds, or other animals. 

Contractors/ subcontractors supplying other than subsistence items for the Operational 

Rations programs are exempt from this requirement. However, suppliers of nonfood 

items must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices so as to avoid the introduction of 

filth and/or pests into associated food manufacturing and assembly facilities. 

B. The IPM program implemented shall comply with the Federal Food, Drug and 

Cosmetic Act; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as 

amended; and any regulations promulgated there under. 

C. SECTION RESERVED 

D. Contractors and/or subcontractors of products with Higher Level Quality 

Requirements (documented Quality Systems Plan required) must submit the following 

to DLA Troop Support-FTS as part of their Quality System Plan: 

1. A statement on whether service is in-house or provided by an external provider. 

If the service provider is external, submit the name of the company/provider. 

Additionally, a copy of the current pesticide applicator certificate/license shall be 

submitted for either in-house or external service providers. 

2. A map of the facility indicating the location of pest management devices 

(pheromone traps, rodent control devices, etc.). If more than one facility is used (i.e. 

storage of ingredients or finished goods), a map for each facility is required. 

3. A statement identifying the normal frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) of 

inspecting pest management devices by company personnel and/or contracted service, 

as applicable. 

4. If pesticides are stored on site, how are they controlled (who has access, is the 

inventory monitored, etc.)?
E. The IPM program shall be in existence prior to contract award. The program shall

also be fully implemented prior to initial receipt, production, storage, assembly, or 

shipment of Operational Ration components, end items, or final assemblies. The 

Contracting Officer may take whatever action is deemed necessary to ensure full 

compliance with any and all aspects of the IPM program. The Government reserves the 

right to inspect the premises and associated products and materials and to reject those 

products and/or materials evidencing pest infestation/contamination or determined to be 

produced or held under insanitary conditions. 

II. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program Concepts 

A. IPM may be defined as "the use of all appropriate technological and management 

techniques to bring about an effective degree of pest prevention and suppression in a 

cost-effective, environmentally sound manner". Accordingly, the goal of IPM is to 

minimize the adverse environmental impact of pesticides while achieving an acceptable 

level of control and cost effectiveness. The single most important aspect of IPM in the 

food processing and storage industry is SANITATION. 

B. Basic IPM Program Elements 

1. Sanitation, housekeeping, and good manufacturing practices. 

2. Continuous product and facility inspections to include a pest surveillance 

program, utilizing pheromone surveillance technology. 

3. Proper facility design, maintenance, and physical pest exclusion. 

4. Proper stock handling and warehousing techniques. 

5. Appropriate use of mechanical pest control techniques and trapping strategies. 

6. Proper selection and application of pesticides, using those of least toxicity 

where feasible. 

III. IPM Program Required Elements* *This section (III.) contains those required 

elements of the IPM program for Operational Rations which should be addressed in the 

program implemented. All program elements should be addressed. Requests for 

waivers and/or modifications to any of the elements contained in the IPM program must 

be submitted in writing to DLA Troop Support- FTSB thru the Contracting Officer for 

consideration. 

A. Sanitation, Housekeeping, and Good Manufacturing Practices 

1. At least one (1) week prior to the initiation of any associated contract 

operation, all portions of the subject facility shall be rendered sanitary and pest free. A 
comparable level of sanitation shall be achieved in all adjacent facility areas, even if not 

directly associated with Government contract operations.

2. Any equipment not required in the handling or processing of food or non-food 

items, and which is not a part of the required production/assembly process, shall be 

clean and properly maintained to preclude pest infestation/harborage. 

3. Spilled food or ingredients, residue from damaged product, waste packaging 

or packing materials, and all other debris shall be cleaned up and properly disposed of 

by the end of each workday. Infested residue or debris shall be disposed of 

immediately. Waste receptacles shall be kept covered at all times. 

4. Inbound conveyances shall be inspected to determine that they have arrived in 

a sanitary and pest free condition. Evidence of conveyance infestation shall be 

immediately reported to DLA Troop Support. Outbound conveyances shall be inspected 

and rendered sanitary and pest free before loading. 

5. Damaged product shall not be placed in the general storage area. Damaged 

product discovered in the general storage area shall be removed to a designated 

rework/salvage area. The rework/salvage area shall be maintained in a highly sanitary 

and pest free condition at all times. Damaged product, which cannot be salvaged, shall

be expeditiously disposed of with the approval of the Contracting Officer when required. 

6. Ingredient mixing/batching rooms/areas shall receive detailed attention to 

sanitation requirements. Product residues associated with such operations shall not be 

allowed to accumulate. 

7. The facility grounds shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner, free of 

trash, debris, and accumulations of excess materials and equipment, which may provide 

harborage for insect and rodent pests. Dumpsters shall be kept covered at all times. 

B. Product/Facility Inspections and Pest Surveillance 

1. All incoming products and materials, including packaging and packing 

materials shall be inspected upon receipt for evidence of pest infestation/contamination. 

Pallets should be clean and free of debris. Special attention should be given to the 

receipt of raw ingredients and spices, as these items are highly susceptible to 

infestation. 

2. Daily facility walk-through sanitary inspections should be conducted in order to 

identify damaged product, infested/contaminated materials, facility maintenance needs, 

and to evaluate the overall effectiveness of sanitation and pest management programs. 

NOTE: The procedures in the following paragraph 3 must be fully implemented within 

thirty (30) days of contract award for solicitations containing this IPM program. 
3. Insect surveillance shall be accomplished by means of pheromone trapping, 

utilizing specific or combination pheromone traps to provide surveillance for the major 

stored product pest species commonly infesting processed foods and ingredient items. 

NOTE: If Pheromone traps are not utilized, the rationale for non-use should be clearly 

indicated in the plan. 

a. Pheromone traps shall be located at appropriate intervals throughout all 

ingredient and food component storage areas to provide for early detection of stored 

product insect activity. Pheromone lures shall be periodically changed in accordance 

with the manufacture’s recommendations. Damaged and/or dirty traps shall be changed 

when necessary. 

b. Trap monitoring should be accomplished jointly by contractor and pest 

control subcontractor personnel when an external service provider is used. The in-plant 

Government Quality Assurance Representative (GQAR) shall have access to the 

monitoring records. Reports of activity over an extended period without action being 

taken shall be reported to the Contracting officer and DLA Troop Support-FTS. A written 

corrective and preventive action plan from the contractor shall be requested if the 

problem persists. 

c. If insect activity is observed within contractor facilities by the GQAR during 

the course of contract operations, exclusive of pheromone traps and electrocution 

devices, the GQAR shall immediately, verbally, notify the contractor and confirm this in 

writing. A copy of the written report shall simultaneously e-mailed to the Contracting 

Officer and DLA Troop Support-FTS. The contractor shall take immediate action and 

submit a written corrective plan (including specimen identification by the Contractor’s 

Pest Management Company or Qualified Pest Management personnel) within 5-working 

days to the Contracting Officer and DLA Troop Support-FTS. 

C. Facility Design, Maintenance, and Pest Exclusion 

1. Roofs and walls shall be maintained in a good state of repair to prevent leaks 

and accumulations of standing water. 

2. All holes or gaps in interior and exterior walls shall be sealed as necessary on 

a continual basis. 

3. All exterior openings, including windows, air exchangers (unless fitted with 

operable louvers), vents, and doors which may remain open, shall be properly 

screened. 

4. All door entrances shall be self-closing and constructed of rodent-proof 

material in such a manner to preclude rodent entry when closed. Cargo or dock doors 

shall be equipped either with inflatable/adjustable boots, full-length vinyl strips, and/or 

properly functioning air curtains. Cargo doors left open for ventilation shall be fitted with 

framed screen inserts to prevent insect entry. 
5. Cleaning and caulking/sealing of facility floor and wall cracks/joints should be 

attended to as necessary on a continuing basis. 

D. Stock Handling and Warehousing Techniques 

1. Infestible food components and ingredients shall be stored a minimum of 18

inches away from all walls and partitions. Inspection aisles of not less than 18 inches 

shall be maintained between each two (2) rows or stacks of subject product. Pallet rack 

systems are acceptable as long as all product is readily accessible for inspection. 

Infestible ingredient items, when stored in rack systems, shall be located at the lowest 

levels and consolidated for ease of monitoring and surveillance. 

2. Two or more infestible components shall not be located on a single pallet. 

3. Proper stock handling practices, designed to minimize product damage, shall

be enforced throughout the course of contract operations. 

4. Commercial ingredient items of an infestible nature shall be stored separately 

from ingredient items used in the Government contract operation. Remaining 

commercial components and end items shall be segregated to the maximum extent 

possible, given the physical constraints of the storage facility. 

E. Mechanical Control and Trapping Strategies 

1. Mechanical rodent control devices and/or traps may be utilized in any area of 

the food processing and storage facility as long as they do not interfere with normal 

production operations. These devices are used in lieu of bait stations containing 

rodenticides. If food type bait materials are used in conjunction with traps, they should 

be monitored for potential insect infestation. A map or layout of all facilities showing the 

existing or intended locations of mechanical rodent control devices shall be included. 

2. Rodent glue boards may be utilized as required for control and also as a 

means of rodent surveillance. 

3. Reliance on magnetic or sonic repelling devices for insect, rodent, and/or bird 

control is not recommended. 

4. Properly approved and installed insect electrocution devices may be utilized in 

all areas of the facility at the discretion of the contractor. Electrocution devices shall be 

maintained in a clean and sanitary manner and positioned so as not to contaminate 

food products or food contact surfaces. 

F. Pesticide Selection and Application 

1. Applicator and Pesticide Documentation 
a. The application of pesticides, categorized as "Restricted Use" by the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), shall only be performed by properly trained 

and certified pesticide applicators. Legible copies of valid State applicator licenses/ 

certifications for in-house (contractor) personnel applying "Restricted Use" pesticides on 

the premises shall be provided. Legible copies of product labels for any "Restricted 

Use" pesticide proposed for use shall be available for on-site review and/or provided 

upon written request from the Contracting Officer. 

b. The application of "General Use" pesticides may be performed by trained 

persons. Individual State restrictions may apply to the application of "General Use" 

pesticides in a commercial food processing and/or storage facility. The names and 

qualifications for in-house personnel applying "General Use" pesticides on the premises 

shall be provided, if not commercially certified as above. Legible copies of product 

labels for any "General Use" pesticide proposed for use shall be available for on-site 

review and/or provided upon written request from the Contracting Officer. 

2. The selection, application method, and frequency of application for residual 

insecticides, flushing agents, space treatment chemicals, insect growth regulators, 

rodenticides, and herbicides shall be left to the discretion of the contractor or the pest 

control subcontractor. Pesticide application and treatment records shall be kept for each 

facility treated and shall be maintained for a minimum of one (1) year. These treatment 

records shall be made available to the Government upon request and shall be reviewed 

during Quality Systems Audits or other visits to the establishment. 

NOTE: Residual insecticides applied in processing facilities, which fall under the 

jurisdiction of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) - Meat and Poultry 

Inspection Office (MPIO), shall be applied in accordance with MPI directives and with 

the approval of the GQAR in Charge. 

NOTE: In no case shall product, pouches/pouch material, meal bags/material, lids, 

cans, accessory bags, or unassembled component items be exposed during pesticide 

applications. 

3. Facility exterior perimeter rodent bait stations, containing an EPA approved 

rodenticide, are required. Bait stations shall be of the tamper proof type and secured for 

safety. The locations of the exterior bait stations shall be indicated on the facility maps 

or layouts. Rodenticides shall not be used in processing, assembly, or storage areas. 

4. If a requirement exists for the use of toxic rodent tracking powders, a DLA 

TROOP SUPPORT entomologist shall first be notified and approval granted for such 

use. Nontoxic tracking powders may be utilized at the discretion of the pest control 

service person.
5. A fumigation capability must be available in the event either product or facility 

fumigation becomes necessary. If fumigation is necessary, DLA Troop Support may 

request the source of the capability and a copy of the subject certification be provided. 

NOTE: Retorted and pouch sealed components, as well as final assembled rations, 

shall not be fumigated unless authorized by the Contracting Officer (and as 

recommended by the DLA Troop Support Food Safety Office or DLA Troop SupportFTS). 

IV. Required Notifications 

A. Intended changes, additions, deletions, or other proposed modifications to an IPM 

program which impacts products intended for Government use shall be submitted to the 

Contracting Officer for evaluation by a DLA Troop Support-FTS before implementation. 

B. The Contracting Officer shall be immediately informed of any infestations found in 

product, packaging supplies, or within the facilities themselves. Immediate telephonic 

and/or e-mail notification to the Contracting Officer and DLA Troop Support-FTS 

Entomologist is required by the contractor and/or the GQAR as applicable. 

C. The GQAR and/or DLA Troop Support-FTS will inform contractors of unfavorable 

pest situations, as they are determined or observed during daily sanitary inspections or 

during audits. The contractor is required to submit a corrective and preventive action 

plan describing what actions are being taken to correct the unfavorable situation.