(a) DON policy is to ensure the safe handling of all ammunition and explosives (A&E). To that end, particular care should be paid to A&E provided to contractors as Government Furnished Material (GFM) when the A&E contain nitrocellulose-based propellants and/or nitrate ester-based materials (such as nitroglycerin,) or any other materials that have a tendency to become chemically unstable over time.