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NOT MEASUREMENT
SENSITIVE
A-A-3129B
June 17, 2009
SUPERSEDING
A-A-3129A
March 28, 2003
COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION
CUSHIONING MATERIAL, FLEXIBLE OPEN CELL PLASTIC FILM
(FOR PACKAGING APPLICATIONS)
The General Services Administration has authorized the use of this commercial item
description, for all federal agencies.
1. SCOPE. This commercial item description (CID) covers flexible, open cell, heat
sealable, noncorrosive, plastic film for use in cushioning and wrapping applications.
2. CLASSIFICATION. The material covered by this commercial item description shall
be of the following types, classes, styles and grades, as specified below and in 7.4.
2.1 Types.
Type I - Cushioning applications, nominal thickness not less than 6.4 mm (1/4 inch)
Type II - Wrapping applications, nominal thickness less than 6.4 mm (1/4 inch)
2.2 Styles.
Style A - Perforated
Style B - Nonperforated
Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc. and any
other data that may improve this document should be sent to: Chief, LOGSA
Packaging, Storage, and Containerization Center, ATTN: AMXLS-AT-P, 11 Hap
Arnold Boulevard, Tobyhanna, PA 18466-5097 or e-mailed to toby.pt@us.army.mil.
FSC 8135
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2.3 Classes.
Class 1 - Without reinforcing top film
Class 2 - With reinforcing top film
2.4 Grades.
Grade A - Regular
Grade B - Static dissipative
3. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS
3.1 Construction. The material shall be constructed of a flexible polyethylene or similar
plastic film with uniformly distributed open cells structured to provide cushioning
without relying on encapsulated air. The Class 2 material shall have an additional
attached top film that allows impacts to be spread over a number of cells. The film shall
be attached in the way that allows for cell-to-cell transfer of any air not escaping through
openings on the cell side of the material, thus allowing for a dampening effect. The
material shall be sufficiently transparent to permit reading of 10- point type through a
single layer of material when held directly behind and touching the material. The
material shall be heat sealable, corrosion resistant and flexible at low temperatures in
accordance with normal commercial practice.
3.1.1 Chlorofluorocarbon and Halon Free. The manufacturing processes for the material
shall be chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and halon free. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
indicating conformance shall be provided. (See 4.1).
3.1.2 Use of Carcinogenic Agents. The use of carcinogenic agents in the
manufacture/fabrication of packaging materials in a concentration of greater than 0.1% is
prohibited (see 7.3). MSDS indicating conformance shall be provided. (See 4.1).
3.2 Form. The material shall be furnished in continuous length rolls or sheets, in
nominal thickness, as specified. When Style A is specified, the rolls or sheets shall be
perforated at specified distances.
3.3 Dimensions. Rolls and perforated rolls shall be not less than the specified length.
The width shall be as specified, with a tolerance of 6.4 mm (plus or minus 1/4 inch).
When Style A is specified, the perforations shall be not more than 6.4 mm (1/4 inch)
apart and of a size such that the material can be easily separated at the perforations. The
tolerance for the distance between the rows of perforations in Style A material shall be
6.4 mm (plus or minus 1/4 inch).
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3.3.1 Thickness. The thickness of the material shall be as specified, with the tolerance of
1.3 mm (plus or minus 0.05 inch), when tested in accordance with ASTM D 2221,
Standard Test Method for Creep Properties of Packaging Cushioning Materials. The
material used for cushioning applications, Type I, shall have a nominal thickness of not
less than 6.4 mm (1/4 inch) thick. The material used for wrapping applications, Type II,
shall have a nominal thickness less than 6.4 mm (1/4 inch).
3.4 Workmanship. The material shall be free from cracks, cuts, holes, chafed spots, or
other imperfections that may impair its appearance and serviceability. It shall be free
from dirt, mold release compounds, contamination, or other foreign matter.
3.5 Shelf Life. This CID covers items where the assignment of a Federal shelf life code
is a consideration.
3.5.1 Specific shelf-life requirements shall be specified in the contract or purchase order,
and shall include, as a minimum, shelf life code, shelf life package markings in
accordance with FED-STD-313 (Material Safety Data, Transportation Data for
Hazardous Materials Furnished to Government Activities), preparation of a Materiel
Quality Control Storage Standard including extension criteria for Type II (extendible)
shelf life items, and a minimum of 85% shelf life remaining at time of receipt by the
Government. The shelf- life codes are contained in the Federal Logistics Information
System total Item Record.
3.5.2 The manufacturer is required to provide test data and to certify that after 36 months
of storage under normal warehouse conditions (temperature 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 120
degrees Fahrenheit and 20% to 90% RH), the Grade B material having the same
nomenclature and manufactured under comparable conditions will be able to pass the
electrostatic decay time and the surface resistivity tests of paragraphs 3.6.2 and 3.6.3
respectively.
3.6 Physical Properties. The material shall pass the applicable requirements specified
below.
3.6.1 Creep (Type I). The creep shall be not more than 10% when tested after 7 days, in
accordance with ASTM D 2221, using a load of 0.25 + or – 0.005psi.
3.6.2 Electrostatic Decay Time (Grade B). The electrostatic decay time shall be not
more than 2.0 seconds when tested in accordance with MIL-STD-3010, Test Procedures
for Packaging Materials, method 4046 (12 days oven and 24 hours water shower test not
required).
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3.6.3 Surface Resistivity (Grade B). The surface resistivity, expressed to 3 significant
figures, shall be greater than or equal to 1.00 x 105 and less than 1.00 x 1012 ohms per
square when tested in accordance with ASTM D 257, Standard Test Methods for DC
Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials.
4. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Material Safety Data Sheets. If applicable, the contracting activity shall be provided
a MSDS prior to contract award. The MSDS shall be prepared and submitted in
accordance with FED-STD-313 and 29 CFR 1910.1200. In the event of a conflict, 29
CFR 1910.1200 shall take precedence. The MSDS shall be included with each shipment
covered by this document. (See 7.2).
4.2 Recovered materials. The offeror/contractor is encouraged to use recovered
materials to the maximum extent practicable, in accordance with paragraph 23.403 of the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). However, compliance with the recovered
materials program does not relieve the contractor from meeting all other contractual
requirements. The performance characteristics of this CID take precedence over
recovered content requirements.
5. PRODUCT CONFORMANCE
5.1 Product Conformance. The product provided shall meet the salient characteristics of
this CID, 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.
6. PACKAGING. Preservation, packing, and marking shall be as specified in the
contract or order.
7. NOTES
7.1 Intended use. The materials described are intended for use within packages.
Transparent materials are especially suitable for use in inserts within transparent bags and
envelopes to permit inspection of the contents. The materials are also used as bags,
wraps, dunnage, and as filler. Maximum transparency is obtained when use is limited to
one thickness.
7.2 Material Safety Data Sheets. Contracting officers will identify those activities
requiring copies of completed MSDS prepared in accordance with FED-STD-313 and
29 CFR 1910.1200. The pertinent Government mailing addresses for submission of data
sheets are listed in FED-STD-313.
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7.3 Carcinogen. A carcinogen is defined as chemical appearing on one or more of the
following source documents: Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulated
carcinogens list, National Toxicology Program list, International Agency for Research on
Cancer lists 1, 2A or 2B.
7.3.1 Precautions in Handling. Certain individuals may experience adverse reactions of
a respiratory dermatological, or other nature or be sensitive to ingredients used in the
manufacture/fabrication of some fire retardant packaging materials. Problems or adverse
effects resulting or suspected from handling these materials should be referred to the
local Medical Department for appropriate follow-up. Safety concerns should be referred
to the local Safety Office for review. Questions regarding specific packaging material
may be referred to the Navy Environmental Health Center. The following precautions
during handling are recommended:
7.3.1.1 Cotton gloves. Cotton gloves should be worn. Gloves should be changed at the
end of the work shift and laundered before reuse, or discarded. Gloves should be
changed more frequently if they fail to provide protection against skin contamination
during the workday.
7.3.1.2 Ventilation. Good general ventilation should be provided to ensure that
significant airborne levels of dust from fire retardant packaging materials do not
accumulate in work areas. Questions should be referred to the local Industrial Hygienist
for review. If dust generation is unavoidable, a National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health/Mine Safety and Health Administration approved respirator, selected based
on the exposure of concern, must be provided and used. Contact the local Industrial
Hygienist for specific guidance pertaining to requests for training and use of approved
respirators.
7.4 Ordering data. The contract or order should specify the following:
a. Title, number, and date of this CID.
b. Type, style, class, grade and form required.
c. Length and width required.
d. For Style A, distance between rows of perforations.
e. Packaging, packing and marking required.
7.5 Referenced Documents.
7.5.1 The Code of Federal Regulations and Federal Acquisition Regulation are available
at www.acqnet.gov/far or from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-0001.
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7.5.2 Government documents are available from the Document Automation and
Production Service, Building 4D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094 or
electronically through either http://assist.daps.dla.mil or
http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch.
7.5.3 ASTM International standards are available from ASTM International,
100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or through
http://www.astm.org .
7.6 Part or Identification Number (PIN). The following PIN procedure is for
government purposes and does not constitute a requirement for the contractor.
This example describes a part numbering system for CID A-A-3129.
AA3129 – I A 2 B Example of reference part number:
AA3129 – IA2B
Grade A – Regular
Grade B – Static dissipative
Class 1 – Without reinforcing top film
Class 2 – With reinforcing top film
Style A - Perforated
Style B - Nonperforated
Type I – Cushioning applications, nominal
thickness not less than 6.4mm (1/4 inch)
Type II – Wrapping applications, nominal thickness
thickness is less than 6.4mm (1/4 inch)
CID Number
7.7 Keywords. Heat sealable, nonperforated, perforated, polyethylene, wrapping.
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MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITY:
GSA-FAS
Custodians:
Army – SM Preparing Activity:
Navy – SA
Air Force – 69 Army - SM
Review Activities: Project 8135-2009-003
Army – AR, AV, CR4
Navy – AS
Air Force – 11, 71, 99
NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this
document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the
currency of the information above using the ASSIST Online database at
http://assist.daps.dla.mil.
