AF Form 3552: Annual Water & Sewage Utility Contract Review

AF Form 3552: Annual Water & Sewage Utility Contract Review – AF Form 3552: Annual Utility Service Contract Review for Water and Sewage Service is a key U.S. Air Force document used by installation energy managers, civil engineering (CE) personnel, and resource advisors to document the mandatory annual review of utility purchase contracts for water and sewage services.

This form helps ensure the Department of the Air Force (DAF) secures these essential services at the most economical rates while maintaining compliance, reliability, and mission support on military installations across the USA.

What Is AF Form 3552?

AF Form 3552, titled Annual Utility Service Contract Review for Water and Sewage Service, is an official Air Force form (originally dated December 1992) designed specifically for reviewing contracts involving potable water supply and wastewater/sewage services provided by municipal, private, or other utility providers to Air Force installations.

It serves as the standardized documentation tool for the annual utility purchase contract review process, alongside:

  • AF Form 3550 — for electric service
  • AF Form 3551 — for gas service

The primary goal is to verify that the installation continues to receive water and sewage services under the most favorable terms, identify any issues (such as rate increases or service discrepancies), and recommend actions like contract modifications or renegotiations. Reviews are also required whenever a contract is modified.

Why Is the Annual Review Required?

Per DAFMAN 32-1061, Providing Utilities to Department of the Air Force Installations (updated as of 2025 guidance), the installation energy manager or their delegee must perform annual utility purchase contract reviews. This ensures cost minimization and operational efficiency for water and sewage services.

AFPAM 32-10144 (Utility Contracts and Services) further details that these reviews help the Air Force acquire utilities at the best available rates and address any unusual or unexpected cost changes.

Key benefits include:

  • Cost control — Identifying opportunities for better rates or terms amid fluctuating utility markets.
  • Compliance — Ensuring contracts align with federal, state, and local regulations for safe drinking water and wastewater management.
  • Risk mitigation — Spotting service reliability issues, billing discrepancies, or emerging needs related to infrastructure.
  • Support for broader initiatives — Such as utilities privatization (UP) efforts, where the Air Force evaluates shifting ownership/operation of water and wastewater systems to private entities for long-term savings and efficiency.

Failure to conduct and document these reviews can lead to higher costs or missed opportunities for optimization.

Who Uses AF Form 3552?

Primary users include:

  • Installation energy managers
  • Base Civil Engineer (BCE) and CE Squadron resource advisors
  • Contracting officers
  • Utility program personnel

In performance work statements (PWS) for base support contracts, service providers often assist with or provide data for these reviews, reporting discrepancies or proposed rate changes to the BCE and higher headquarters (e.g., AFCEC Utility Rate Management Team).

The form is completed annually (or upon contract modification) and retained as part of official records.

How to Complete AF Form 3552?

While the exact layout of the fillable PDF includes standard blocks for contract details, consumption data, rates, and reviewer comments, the process generally involves:

  1. Identifying the contract — Contract number, utility provider, points of delivery, and effective dates.
  2. Reviewing current terms — Rates, fees, consumption history, billing accuracy, and service quality.
  3. Analyzing changes — Comparing against prior years for rate increases, usage trends, or anomalies.
  4. Evaluating alternatives — Considering renegotiation, competition, or privatization options.
  5. Documenting findings and recommendations — Noting any issues, cost-saving opportunities, or required actions.
  6. Signatures and approvals — From the reviewer, energy manager, and other required approvers.

Download the official form here: AF Form 3552 PDF

Always use the latest version from the Air Force e-Publishing site and follow current guidance in DAFMAN 32-1061 and AFPAM 32-10144 for completion instructions.

  • DAFMAN 32-1061 (Providing Utilities to DAF Installations) — Core policy for utility purchase reviews, reimbursable services, and related processes.
  • AFPAM 32-10144 — Practical guidance on utility contracts, including review procedures and specifications formats for water/sewage services.
  • AFI 32-1061 (older versions) — Historical foundation still referenced in many installation documents.
  • Broader context: Department of Defense utilities privatization policies and installation-specific Performance Work Statements.

These reviews also tie into larger efforts like energy and water conservation, bill validation, and infrastructure asset management.

Best Practices for Air Force Installations

  • Coordinate early with contracting, legal, environmental (for Safe Drinking Water Act compliance), and bioenvironmental teams.
  • Maintain accurate consumption and billing records to support the review.
  • Consider long-term strategies, such as utility privatization, which has historically delivered significant savings for the Air Force (e.g., reduced water consumption and lower lifecycle costs).
  • Integrate findings into the installation’s energy management plan and annual reporting.

For installations handling reimbursable utility sales to non-federal entities, additional coordination is required due to regulatory implications for water systems.

Need Help with AF Form 3552?

If you are a U.S. Air Force civil engineering, energy management, or contracting professional responsible for water and sewage utility contracts, downloading and properly completing AF Form 3552 is a critical compliance step. Refer to the official DAFMAN and consult your MAJCOM or AFCEC support for installation-specific procedures.

Official Download Link: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/form/af3552/af3552.pdf

For the most current policy, visit the Air Force e-Publishing website and search for DAFMAN 32-1061 or related utility management publications. Proper execution of these annual reviews supports mission readiness while controlling operational costs for American military installations.