On paper, delaying your CMMC Level 2 preparation might feel strategic. But behind the scenes, organizations that wait are slowly absorbing costs, risks, and missed opportunities they can’t see—until it’s too late.
At Coalfire Federal, we’ve assessed and advised hundreds of organizations across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). And we see a pattern: the organizations that wait end up paying more—not just in dollars, but in lost time, trust, and access.
Most organizations underestimate how long CMMC readiness really takes. From initial scoping to C3PAO assessment, the average timeline spans 12 to 24 months—and that’s for organizations actively working on it now.
Those who delay will be competing for limited assessment capacity at the same time others are rushing to meet contract deadlines. That creates an assessment bottleneck, and the line is already forming.
Waiting doesn’t shrink the timeline—it just pushes it further down the road.
What looks like cost avoidance is often cost deferral—and it snowballs:
We’ve seen late-starters spend 30–50% more just trying to catch up.
As a C3PAO, Coalfire Federal has a front-row seat to growing demand. Even well-prepared organizations can wait 3 to 6 months just for assessment availability.
But the kicker? Most aren’t ready when they think they are. That means:
The “rush to assess” crowd risks stalling out entirely.
Every quarter you delay:
And here’s what we rarely say aloud: In this market, slow movers are future subcontractors.
Delaying compliance doesn’t freeze risk. It extends exposure:
That’s how companies fail assessments they thought they’d pass—and it’s one reason why mock assessments are becoming a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
The False Claims Act is no longer hypothetical. Recent enforcement actions against both large and small contractors show that misrepresenting compliance or readiness—intentionally or not—can be costly.
This isn’t just about readiness anymore. It’s about legal exposure and the growing scrutiny on defense supply chains.
Being early means more than being ready. It means:
As one of the few firms operating on both sides of CMMC—as a certified assessor and a trusted advisory partner—we see the pitfalls and pathways others miss. We’ve helped countless organizations move from “mostly ready” to confidently compliant, and we know what delays really cost.
Ready doesn’t happen overnight. But it doesn’t happen at all if you don’t start. If CMMC Level 2 is in your future, now is the time to act—before the quiet cost of waiting becomes a loud regret.
Whether you need a mock assessment, advisory support, or a certified C3PAO, Coalfire Federal has the experience, authority, and insight to guide you confidently through CMMC Level 2.
Start your path to compliance today, and contact us directly to discuss where you stand—and how to move forward.