Minot to be first base to privatize main utilities Published Dec. 17, 2013 By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- February 2014 is slated to mark a historic moment for Minot Air Force Base as it implements the privatization of operations and maintenance for its water and wastewater systems, making it the first Air Force installation to privatize all their main utilities. Currently, the base's natural gas service and electrical distribution infrastructure is already maintained and operated privately. "Taking some of the day-to-day maintenance burden off of our civil engineer personnel will allow them to complete other things," said Maj. Rebecca Corbin, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander. "This (privatization) allows our Airmen to focus on the mission-essential areas." Man hours saved can be diverted to allow for more training and give Airmen the opportunity to focus on supporting base facilities essential to the base's mission, she added. This latest move allows contractors to take the lead in operations and maintenance of the main distribution pipes of water and wastewater on base. As is the case with the electric and natural gas privatization policies, the airfield and weapons storage area, among other sensitive areas, will still remain operated and maintained by the 5th CES. A transition process is currently underway between contractors and the 5th CES water and fuels team, which will ultimately lead to full implementation of water and wastewater privatization by February. While there is a transition to contractors, base resident's will see no financial impact to housing expenses, as all utility expenses will still be covered under Basic Allowance for Housing. According to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the privatization of utilities has been a preferred method for improving services as it provides the most cost-effective way to address maintenance needs in an environment of fiscal constraints the Department of Defense is facing. At any installation, maintenance repairs and upgrades to essential facilities is a top priority to effectively continue a mission, said Corbin. Corbin explained that with the drawdown of forces, DOD officials have been very supportive of these initiatives, and they're seeking to implement privatization proposals wherever feasible as a way to offset personnel numbers and because of its financial benefits. By default Minot AFB will serve as a pilot program for other Air Force bases to model. Lessons learned in setting up and implementing contracts will be passed along to other Air Force bases, Corbin said. Currently, some bases have certain utility maintenance privatized but not to the extent of Minot AFB. One of the more difficult pieces of carrying out the privatization of the base's water and wastewater operations has been the administrative and financial aspect of it, the major explained. "It is hard to put a price on day-to-day maintenance," Corbin said. She elaborated by saying that when a big pump breaks or bursts, they know the cost associated with that particular situations, but it is not as easy to identify costs of routine maintenance, among other stipulations required within the contract. "We as an Air Force reinvest every so often," said Corbin. "We have to make sure our contractors do that as well." The base was able to ensure the contract successfully met standards required of the Air Force and not only will regular upgrades be made but contractors will be also be able to provide civil engineer Airmen with hands-on training of systems to further their professional development, said Corbin.