DoD contracting officers can now include CMMC requirements in new solicitations and contracts. For defense contractors that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), that means certification is no longer a future planning item. It is a condition of the contract award. Yet many organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) still have gaps in their security controls, documentation, and assessment readiness that could cost them eligibility.
Coalfire Federal's CMMC consulting services give your organization a clear, expert-guided path from wherever you are today to certified and compliant.
The CMMC 2.0 framework establishes three certification levels based on the sensitivity of the information your organization handles. Most defense contractors working with CUI will need to achieve CMMC Level 2, which aligns directly with the 110 security controls in NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2.
The DoW is rolling out CMMC in phases. Phase 1 began in November 2025, requiring Level 1 and Level 2 self-assessments in applicable solicitations. By Phase 2, solicitations will require Level 2 third-party certification assessments conducted by an authorized C3PAO. Full enforcement across all applicable DoD contracts is expected by November 2028.
The phased timeline may feel gradual, but the reality is that most organizations need 6 to 12 months to become assessment-ready, and the pool of authorized assessors is limited. Waiting until a solicitation demands certification puts your contract timelines at risk.
Prime contractors are already accelerating this pressure. Many now require subcontractors to demonstrate CMMC Level 2 readiness with documented evidence of implemented controls, not just plans to comply. If you cannot show readiness, you risk being excluded from defense programs.
As both a certified C3PAO and Registered Provider Organization (RPO), Coalfire Federal is one of the few firms qualified to support you through every stage of the CMMC certification process. Our CMMC compliance consulting services cover the full lifecycle, from initial readiness through official certification.
Choosing the right CMMC consultant is a decision that directly impacts your certification outcome and your contract eligibility. Coalfire Federal brings credentials and experience that set us apart:
20 years of federal cybersecurity compliance expertise
Our knowledge spans thousands of NIST-based advisory and assessment engagements across the defense industrial base, giving us deep insight into what works in real-world compliance environments.
Authorized C3PAO with proven assessment experience
We were among the first C3PAOs authorized to conduct official CMMC assessments and have successfully completed DIBCAC re-certification, confirming our own compliance with CMMC Level 2.
CMMC cybersecurity consulting services tailored to your industry
From aerospace manufacturers to IT service providers, we understand the unique compliance challenges of each sector and adapt our approach to your operational realities and CUI environment.
Assessments informed by both sides of the ecosystem
Our RPO experience means our assessors have seen how controls get built and where they break, making our C3PAO assessments more precise, more efficient, and far less likely to leave you with surprises.
Aircraft systems, avionics, missiles, and classified DoD technology development
Military medicine, biotech R&D, and protected health data in DoD-aligned systems
Design, prototyping, and systems integration across classified DoD programs
DoD-funded university labs and R&D centers handling sensitive CUI
Inventory, shipping, warehousing, and sustainment tied to defense contracts
Aircraft systems, avionics, missiles, and classified DoD technology development
Military medicine, biotech R&D, and protected health data in DoD-aligned systems
Design, prototyping, and systems integration across classified DoD programs
DoD-funded university labs and R&D centers handling sensitive CUI
Inventory, shipping, warehousing, and sustainment tied to defense contracts
Managed IT, secure cloud, and systems admin for DoD CUI environments
Space launch, orbital tech, and CUI-managed satellite comms systems
Secure base construction, facility design, and military infrastructure projects
Secure grid control systems, plant automation and field operations
Secure 5G, tactical radio, and network services for DoD communications
Military vehicle platforms, mobility systems, and armored transport design
Firearms, munitions, explosives, and ITAR-governed weapons systems
Managed IT, secure cloud, and systems admin for DoD CUI environments
Space launch, orbital tech, and CUI-managed satellite comms systems
Secure base construction, facility design, and military infrastructure projects
Secure grid control systems, plant automation and field operations
Secure 5G, tactical radio, and network services for DoD communications
Military vehicle platforms, mobility systems, and armored transport design
Firearms, munitions, explosives, and ITAR-governed weapons systems
The cost of CMMC consulting varies based on the size and complexity of your organization, the maturity of your existing cybersecurity program, and the scope of your CUI environment. Organizations with strong security foundations typically require less remediation work and can move to assessment more quickly. A gap analysis is the best first step to understand the scope of effort and cost involved. Coalfire Federal provides tailored proposals based on your specific situation.
No. Under CMMC rules, a C3PAO cannot provide advisory or consulting services and then assess the same organization for certification. However, Coalfire Federal operates as both a C3PAO and an RPO, meaning we can advise you through preparation and then conduct your official assessment, as long as separate teams handle each engagement. This structure gives you continuity while maintaining the independence required by the program.
A mock assessment is a simulated evaluation that mirrors the official CMMC Level 2 assessment process, designed to identify gaps and prepare your team before certification is on the line. A pre-assessment is part of the formal certification process itself, where your C3PAO reviews your SSP and supporting documentation to confirm readiness before scheduling the full assessment. Both serve different purposes, and a mock assessment is strongly recommended before entering the formal process.
Yes. CMMC requirements flow down from prime contractors to subcontractors that handle CUI. Primes are increasingly requiring documented proof of CMMC readiness before including subs in proposals or awarding work. Subcontractors should begin preparation now to avoid being excluded from defense supply chains.
Most organizations need 6 to 12 months to become assessment-ready, depending on their current security posture and the extent of remediation needed. The formal certification process itself, including pre-assessment and the on-site evaluation, typically adds additional weeks. Starting early gives you the best chance of meeting solicitation timelines and securing assessor availability.
If controls are found to be not met during an assessment, you may receive a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) for certain deficiencies. You typically have up to 180 days to remediate those issues and undergo a follow-up review. However, not all controls are eligible for POA&M treatment, so significant gaps can result in a failed certification that requires starting the assessment process over. A mock assessment significantly reduces this risk by surfacing issues before your official evaluation.
Every month of delay is a month closer to a solicitation that requires certification you do not yet have. Coalfire Federal's CMMC consulting services are built to move your organization from uncertainty to assessment-ready, on a timeline that protects your contract eligibility.
Whether you need a gap analysis to understand where you stand, a mock assessment to pressure-test your readiness, or an official C3PAO assessment to achieve certification, we can help you move forward with confidence.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our CMMC experts and take the first step toward certification.
