Short answer: Unit of issue (UI) is the two-letter code for how DLA counts the item, like EA for each or BX for box. Quantity per unit pack (QUP) is how many of those units go in one unit pack. Unit of measure says what a non-definitive UI holds. Get all three right before you quote.
Where to find UI, QUP and unit of measure
On a DLA RFQ or award, look in Section B. Each contract line item shows a UI next to the quantity. The "Prep for Delivery" block below it starts the packaging data with the QUP. The item description sometimes adds the unit of measure in plain words, such as a length per reel. DLA's training article on points vendors to the same spots.
Read all three together. Any one of them alone can mislead you.
Unit of issue (UI)
DLA describes the unit of issue as a two-letter code for the count, measurement, container or form of the item the government needs. There are two kinds:
- Definitive UIs are based on a measurement standard, like EA (each), FT (foot) or YD (yard).
- Non-definitive UIs aren't a fixed measure, like BX (box), PG (package), RL (roll) or KT (kit). The amount inside comes from the item description or a stated quantity.
Your price is per UI. If the line says 10 PG and you price as if it were 10 pieces, you've quoted a fraction of the real quantity. DLA RFQs use the DoD unit of issue codes and point to DLA's for the matching ASC X12 commercial codes. Check that sheet when a code isn't one you use every day.
Quantity per unit pack (QUP)
QUP is the number of UIs bound or packaged together in one unit pack. DLA's packaging guidance gives the rule plainly: if the QUP is 001, put one item in each unit pack. If the QUP is 10, each pack may hold up to 10 ().
The same page works through an order of 19 EA with a QUP of 10. That ships as one pack of 10 and one pack of 9. You don't round up, and you don't pad the second pack.
QUP drives cost more than people expect. A QUP of 001 on 500 small parts means 500 separate unit packs, each bagged or boxed, sealed and labeled under MIL-STD-129. That labor and material can matter more than the part price. DLA notes that items like repairables, sets, kits and fragile or odd-shaped items usually have a QUP of one.
Unit of measure (U/M)
Unit of measure tells you what a non-definitive UI contains. DLA's example is a reel: the UI is RL, the QUP is 001, and the description says each reel holds a set length of wire. So you deliver that many reels, each with that exact length, each in its own unit pack. Putting all the wire on fewer reels, or shipping the right total length in a box, gets the UI or U/M wrong even though the total footage is right.
When a non-definitive UI shows up in markings, MIL-STD-129 has you add the quantity in words. DLA's marking guide shows the form "1 RO (100 FT)."
Convert before you ask your supplier
A common place for UI errors is the supplier RFQ, not DIBBS, not on DIBBS. Your manufacturer or distributor sells in their own units: per piece, per box of 100, per foot, per spool. Do the conversion yourself before you send the request:
- Write down the DLA quantity and UI from the line item (for example, 25 PG).
- Find out what one UI contains from the item description or tech data (for example, 1 PG = 10 pieces).
- Convert to the supplier's unit (25 PG × 10 = 250 pieces).
- Write the QUP into your supplier RFQ (for example, "package in units of 10, individually bagged and labeled") or plan to repackage yourself.
- Price back into DLA's UI: your total cost for 250 pieces ÷ 25 = your price per PG.
If the description doesn't say what's in a box or package, don't guess. Ask the buyer before you quote. After award, DLA says to raise UI, QUP or U/M questions with the contract administrator, which on DIBBS usually means a Post Award Request (PAR).
What goes wrong if UI or QUP is off
DLA lists the results of getting UI, QUP or U/M wrong: a Supply Discrepancy Report (SDR), delayed payment, or remediation fees. DLA's packaging page also names "Incorrect Unit of Issue, Quantitative Expression, and Quantity Per Unit Pack" among common packaging errors. An SDR goes against your CAGE code, so a pattern of them follows you.
Quick UI and QUP checklist
- Is the UI definitive (EA, FT) or non-definitive (PG, BX, RL, KT)?
- If it's non-definitive, does the description say what one unit holds?
- What's the QUP, and how many unit packs does that mean?
- Did you price per DLA UI, not per supplier unit?
- Does your supplier RFQ state the QUP and marking, or will you repack?
- Is the packaging labor for that many unit packs in your price?
Where FedOpp fits
FedOpp shows the quantity, MIL packaging and last price on each DIBBS row, so a price that doesn't fit the unit stands out before you quote. You quote on DIBBS yourself. FedOpp is $199 a month after a 7-day free trial.
Also see How to Read a DIBBS RFQ.
Also see packaging is part of the quote.
Frequently asked questions
What does unit of issue mean on a DLA contract?
It's the two-letter code for how DLA counts the item, such as EA (each), BX (box) or PG (package). Your quoted price is per unit of issue.
What is QUP in government packaging?
Quantity per unit pack: the number of units of issue packed together in one unit pack. A QUP of 001 means one item per pack.
What's the difference between unit of issue and unit of measure?
Unit of issue is how the item is counted (for example, RL for reel). Unit of measure says what that unit holds (for example, the length of wire on each reel).
What does PG mean as a unit of issue?
PG is package, a non-definitive unit of issue. Check the item description for how many pieces one package holds before you price.
What happens if I ship the wrong QUP?
DLA says wrong UI, QUP or unit of measure can lead to a Supply Discrepancy Report, delayed payment or remediation fees.
Last verified 2026-10-08 · Author FedOpp
Sources
Practical notes, not legal advice. The solicitation controls.