AF Form 1178A: FY Project Cost Estimate Worksheet Guide

AF Form 1178A: FY Project Cost Estimate Worksheet Guide – is a key U.S. Air Force form used in military construction (MILCON) and facility project planning. It provides detailed building characteristics to support accurate parametric cost estimating for new construction, renovations, or repairs.

Air Force civil engineers, project managers, and programmers rely on this worksheet (along with AF Form 1178 for the summary and AF Form 1178B for detailed Uniformat system costs) to develop reliable cost estimates submitted via DD Form 1391. These estimates help justify funding requests for the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP).

What Is AF Form 1178A?

AF Form 1178A, titled “FY Project Cost Estimate Worksheet — Building Description”, is an official Air Force Information Management Tool (IMT) form. Its current version dates to 20000501 (May 1, 2000), and the official PDF is available for download from the Air Force e-Publishing site: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/form/af1178a/af1178a.pdf.

It focuses on the physical and functional description of the proposed building or facility. This data feeds into parametric cost models (such as the Tri-Service Parametric Cost Engineering System or PACES) and ensures estimates align with OSD Pricing Guide unit costs.

The form pairs with:

  • AF Form 1178 — Project Cost Estimate Summary (high-level totals, contingency, SIOH).
  • AF Form 1178B — Detailed cost breakdown by Uniformat II systems (substructure, superstructure, roofing, etc.).

Purpose of AF Form 1178A

Project teams use AF Form 1178A during early planning and programming phases to:

  • Document building characteristics for cost modeling.
  • Support development of the DD Form 1391 (Military Construction Project Data).
  • Provide a basis for parametric estimates that installations and MAJCOMs must prepare for MILCON or Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) projects.
  • Capture unique project requirements that affect cost, such as size, height, structural type, and utilities.

Accurate completion helps ensure estimates include appropriate contingency (typically 5%) and Supervision, Inspection, and Overhead (SIOH) percentages, which vary by location (e.g., 5.7% in the continental U.S.). Cost estimates must align with current inflation indices and OSD guidelines.

Who Uses AF Form 1178A?

  • Base Civil Engineers (BCE) and their staffs.
  • Air Force project managers and programmers at installations, MAJCOMs, and AFCEC (Air Force Civil Engineer Center).
  • Designers and cost engineers developing preliminary or parametric estimates.
  • Anyone preparing documentation for projects exceeding certain thresholds (generally over $1M for full MILCON programming).

Guidance appears in AFI 32-1021 (Planning and Programming Military Construction Projects), AFI 32-1020 (Planning and Programming Built Infrastructure Projects), the USAF Project Managers’ Guide for Design and Construction, and related DAFI publications.

Key Sections and Fields on AF Form 1178A

The one-page form captures header information and detailed building characteristics. Here is a breakdown based on the official form layout:

Header Information:

  1. PDC Number (Project Data Code or similar identifier)
  2. Project Title
  3. Date (YYYYMMDD)
  4. MAJCOM (Major Command)
  5. Base/State/Inst Code (Installation code)
  6. ACF (possibly Appropriation or Account Code Field)
  7. Const Start (Construction start date)
  8. Months of Const (Duration of construction in months)

Building Characteristics Section:

  • Total Gross Floor Area (m²)
  • Footprint (m²)
  • Stories Above Grade
  • Floor-to-Floor Height
  • Floor-to-Ceiling Height
  • Stories Below Grade
  • Floor-to-Floor Height (below grade)
  • Floor-to-Ceiling Height (below grade)
  • Superstructure Type
  • Bay Size (m x m)
  • Exterior Closure Type

Additional fields often include:

  • Cooling plant size (kW)
  • Shielded floor area (m²)
  • Electrical load (amps)
  • EMCS points (Energy Management Control System)
  • Supporting facilities details (e.g., electric: primary line voltage, kV, overhead/underground lines)

The form emphasizes metric measurements (m², m, kW, etc.), consistent with DoD and international standards used in Air Force cost engineering.

Notes: Provide any additional remarks needed for cost justification, such as special features, sustainable design elements (up to 2% of cost), or antiterrorism/force protection (AT/FP) requirements per UFC 4-010-01.

How to Complete AF Form 1178A?

  1. Gather requirements from planning documents, facility requirements (AFI 32-1024 / AFMAN 32-1084), and charrette reports.
  2. Use schematic designs, site plans, or early preliminary design data.
  3. Enter precise building parameters to enable accurate PACES or similar parametric runs.
  4. Justify any deviations from standard OSD unit costs (e.g., special roofing or foundations).
  5. Coordinate with cost engineers to ensure consistency with AF Form 1178 (summary) and 1178B (detailed breakdown).
  6. Include the form as supporting documentation in project packages for MAJCOM or AF/A4C review.

For MILCON projects, estimates undergo scrutiny to align with historical data or the OSD Pricing Guide. Unique requirements (e.g., hardened structures or specialized HVAC) must be broken out as separate line items.

  • DD Form 1391 — Primary justification document for MILCON projects.
  • AF Form 1178 — Summarizes primary facilities, supporting facilities, contingency, SIOH, and total request.
  • AF Form 1178B — Breaks costs into Uniformat systems (Substructure, Superstructure, Roofing, Exterior Closure, Interior Construction, etc.).
  • Key References:
    • AFI 32-1021 / DAFI 32-1020 (MILCON planning and programming).
    • USAF Project Managers’ Guide for Design and Construction (WBDG).
    • UFC standards for design and AT/FP.
    • AFCEC MILCON Business Rules and cost estimating guidance.

Always download the latest forms and instructions from the official Air Force e-Publishing website (e-publishing.af.mil) to ensure compliance.

Why Accurate Building Description Matters?

Inaccurate or incomplete data on AF Form 1178A can lead to flawed parametric estimates, delayed approvals, or funding shortfalls. The Air Force emphasizes using tools like PACES while validating against OSD benchmarks and historical costs. Proper use of this form supports efficient programming, helps meet congressional notification thresholds (e.g., projects over $750,000 in certain categories), and ensures facilities meet mission needs, sustainability goals, and security standards.

For U.S. Air Force personnel involved in facility projects, mastering AF Form 1178A is essential for successful cost estimating and project execution.

Download the Official Form Here:
AF Form 1178A PDF

If you need templates, examples, or further guidance on integrating this form into a full DD Form 1391 package, consult your local BCE office or AFCEC resources. Always verify current policy in the latest DAF instructions, as processes evolve with updates to cost engineering and programming rules.