CMMC · Defense Contractors
CMMC for Defense Contractors
CMMC 2.0 Level 2 is the DoD contract gate. Miss the deadline, lose the award.
Why this matters
Every contract flowing CUI now flows down CMMC Level 2.
Your SPRS score is visible to primes and contracting officers.
POA&M items past 180 days become disqualifying, not remediable.
Typical timeline
6–12 months to Level 2 assessment readiness for most SMBs.
Typical cost
$40k–$150k depending on enclave scope and existing maturity.
What bites hardest in Defense Contractors
Frequently asked
Do I need C3PAO assessment or can I self-attest?
A subset of Level 2 contracts allow self-attestation, but most require a Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO). Check your contract clauses.
How fast can I get a defensible SPRS score?
A prepared 20-person shop can produce a self-assessment SPRS in 4–6 weeks with Scarlet Risk. Third-party assessment adds 8–12 weeks.
Do I need CMMC Level 2?
If you touch CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information), yes. Level 1 covers FCI only. If your contracts reference DFARS 252.204-7012, you're almost certainly Level 2.
When does CMMC take effect?
The final rule is phased in through late 2026. New DoD contracts progressively require CMMC certification, and primes are already flowing it down.
Do I need CMMC Level 2 if I don't touch classified info?
If your contracts reference DFARS 252.204-7012 or you handle CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information), yes — even without classified access.
How fast can I get a usable SPRS score?
A prepared 20-person shop can produce a self-assessment SPRS in 4–6 weeks using Scarlet Risk. Third-party assessment adds 8–12 weeks.
Ready to shortcut CMMC for Defense Contractors?
Scarlet Comply and our on-demand reports collapse months of prep into hours.
Framework
CMMC 2.0 (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)
The DoD's cybersecurity gate. Miss the deadline, lose the contract.
Industry
Defense Contractors
CMMC 2.0 is here. Miss the gate, lose the contract.