The Department of Defense’s CMMC 48 CFR final rule has cleared regulatory review, the final hurdle before publication in the Federal Register. Once published, CMMC Phase 1 will officially begin, and CMMC requirements will appear in Department of Defense solicitations and contracts.
This milestone is more than procedural. It marks the transition from anticipation to implementation, where certification will determine eligibility to compete in the defense marketplace.
Clearing review does not yet make the rule effective, but it does signal certainty. CMMC will move forward. Once publication occurs, contracting officers will have explicit authority to include CMMC requirements in both solicitations and awarded contracts.
For the defense industrial base (DIB), this means:
This milestone is where the distinct but complementary roles of Coalfire and Coalfire Federal come into sharp relief:
Coalfire (Advisory): Helps contractors prepare for certification with readiness services, gap analysis, and compliance program support. Learn more about Coalfire’s CMMC advisory services.
Coalfire Federal (Assessment): As an accredited C3PAO, conducts impartial third-party assessments required under CMMC. Coalfire Federal does not assess Coalfire advisory clients, ensuring full compliance with impartiality requirements. Explore Coalfire Federal’s CMMC assessment services
By keeping advisory and assessment functions separate, Coalfire and Coalfire Federal together provide the defense industrial base with clarity, capacity, and trust during this critical transition.
With the CMMC final rule now cleared for publication, the path is set for Phase 1 and for CMMC requirements to appear in contracts. Contractors face an inflection point: eligibility to compete for defense contracts will soon depend on certification.
CMMC is no longer a future consideration. It is becoming a present requirement.
CMMC certification will soon determine eligibility in the defense marketplace. Whether you are preparing your program or ready to certify, now is the time to act. Whether you are just beginning your journey or ready for certification, we can help. Reach out to talk to an expert today.