AF Form 3550: Annual Electric Utility Contract Review 2026

AF Form 3550: Annual Electric Utility Contract Review 2026 – AF Form 3550: Annual Utility Service Contract Review for Electric Service is a key U.S. Air Force form used to document the mandatory annual review of electric utility purchase contracts at Department of the Air Force (DAF) installations. This review helps ensure the Air Force obtains electricity at the most economical rates while minimizing costs and maintaining compliance with federal acquisition regulations.

What Is AF Form 3550?

AF Form 3550, titled Annual Utility Service Contract Review for Electric Service, serves as the official documentation tool for the yearly evaluation of electric utility service contracts. It is one of a series of forms:

  • AF Form 3550 — Electric Service
  • AF Form 3551 — Gas Service
  • AF Form 3552 — Water and Sewage Service

The form supports the requirement to periodically assess utility contracts (or when modifications occur) to verify that the Department of the Air Force (DAF) receives the best available rates, terms, and conditions.

Official Download: You can download the current PDF version directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/form/af3550/af3550.pdf.

Purpose and Regulatory Background

The primary goal of completing AF Form 3550 is to confirm that electric utility services are acquired at the most advantageous rates for the government in terms of economy, efficiency, and reliability. This aligns with broader federal policy under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 41 – Acquisition of Utility Services and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 241.

Key governing documents include:

  • DAFMAN 32-1061, Providing Utilities to U.S. Air Force Installations (with 2025 guidance) — Explicitly requires the installation energy manager (or designee) to perform annual utility purchase contract reviews and document them using AF Form 3550 for electric service. Reviews must also occur whenever a contract is modified.
  • AFPAM 32-10144 — Provides detailed procedures and guidance for conducting these reviews and maintaining utility services folders.
  • FAR 41.401 and related sections — Require agencies to review utility service invoices monthly and conduct annual reviews for higher-value accounts to ensure fair pricing and proper contract administration.

These reviews help identify opportunities for rate reductions, better terms, or alternative suppliers where competition is feasible, while respecting franchise territories and state regulations for electric utilities.

Who Uses AF Form 3550?

  • Installation Energy Manager (or authorized delegate) — Primary responsibility for performing and documenting the review.
  • Civil Engineer (CE) Squadron personnel, including the Base Civil Engineer (BCE).
  • Resource Advisors and contracting officer’s representatives (CORs) involved in utility management.
  • Utility Services Folder maintainers — The form becomes part of the official utility services folder for each electric utility provider serving the installation.

The review is mandatory at DAF installations (Active Duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve) that purchase electric utility services through contracts. It does not typically apply where another federal agency handles utility procurement for the installation.

When Is the Review Required?

  • Annually — At a minimum, for each electric utility service contract.
  • Upon Modification — Anytime the contract terms, rates, or conditions change.
  • As Needed — To support cost minimization efforts or when preparing for contract renewal/renegotiation.

The installation energy manager must maintain supporting documentation in the utility services folder, including recent meter calibration records (where applicable), billing history (at least the last 24 months readily available), and consumption data.

Key Elements Typically Reviewed on AF Form 3550

While the exact layout of the form includes standard blocks for identification, contract details, and reviewer certifications, the review generally covers:

  • Current contract rates versus available alternative rates or tariffs.
  • Consumption patterns and load characteristics.
  • Metering accuracy and billing procedures.
  • Connection charges, termination liabilities, and any special provisions.
  • Opportunities for cost savings through renegotiation, load management, or energy efficiency measures.
  • Compliance with contract specifications and federal clauses.
  • Comparison against market or regulated rates in the utility’s franchise territory.

The form captures the reviewer’s findings, recommendations (if any), and certification that the DAF is receiving economical service or that corrective action is required.

How to Complete and Process AF Form 3550?

  1. Gather Documentation — Collect the current utility contract, recent invoices, meter data, and any prior reviews.
  2. Perform Analysis — Compare rates, evaluate consumption trends, and assess whether better options exist (subject to regulatory constraints).
  3. Document Findings — Fill out all required blocks on AF Form 3550, including dates, contract identifiers, reviewer details, and conclusions.
  4. Certify and Route — Obtain necessary approvals/signatures. Place the completed form in the utility services folder.
  5. Take Action — If the review identifies issues (e.g., unfavorable rates), coordinate with contracting personnel for potential modifications or new solicitations per FAR/DFARS rules.

Detailed block-by-block instructions are provided on the form itself or in supporting guidance such as AFPAM 32-10144.

Best Practices for Air Force Installations

  • Integrate the annual review into the installation’s energy management plan.
  • Leverage advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data for more accurate consumption analysis.
  • Coordinate with the Base Civil Engineer, contracting office, and higher headquarters as needed.
  • Maintain electronic records for easy access while meeting retention requirements (typically 7 years for certain meter/billing data).
  • Consider broader energy initiatives, such as Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESC), when reviews reveal significant savings potential.

Proper use of AF Form 3550 contributes directly to installation energy resilience, cost control, and compliance with Department of the Air Force energy policy.

Need the Form or More Guidance?

  • Official PDF: Download AF Form 3550 here.
  • Refer to the latest version of DAFMAN 32-1061 and AFPAM 32-10144 on the Air Force e-Publishing website for comprehensive procedures.
  • Contact your installation energy manager or CE squadron for local implementing guidance.

Note: Always verify you are using the most current form and publications from official .mil sources, as policies and forms can be updated.

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force publications and federal acquisition regulations as of 2026. For official use, consult current DAF instructions and your local contracting/legal advisors.