If you’re a DoD contractor and you’re not taking CMMC seriously right now–you’re already behind.
The final CMMC rule just dropped, and starting November 10th, CMMC requirements can start showing up in contracts. Not “someday.” Not “eventually.” This is real.
Here’s the kicker: over 100,000 companies need third-party assessments, and there are fewer than 100 assessors available. Do the math–bottleneck incoming. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be stuck in line while competitors win the contracts.
Cybersecurity is important to both parties; this won’t go away in 3 years with a new president or Congress. Our enemies are attacking America, and DoD cannot let their contractors be an easy entry point for them.
…So don’t kid yourself by thinking, “Well, maybe my contract won’t require it right away.” The DoD made it clear: they’ll phase it in over the next three years.
…So if you’ve got a must-win DoD contract coming up, or are targeting that Agency, then you’d be insane to gamble that it won’t require CMMC.
What changed in the final rule?
No more 72-hour reporting if you fall out of compliance. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook–you’re still expected to stay continuously compliant.
The rollout won’t be all-at-once, but that doesn’t matter for small businesses. The only safe play is to assume that every DoD bid could require CMMC starting in November.
Why this matters for small businesses
Without certification, you’re locked out. No CMMC = no DoD contracts. Period.
The audit pipeline is already jammed. If you’re not on an assessor’s calendar, you’ll be waiting with everyone else who slept on this.
Being proactive doesn’t just keep you eligible–it makes you more attractive to primes who don’t want compliance headaches.
What to do right now
Audit your contracts. Do you handle CUI or FCI? If yes, you need to get aligned with NIST 800-171 ASAP.
Reserve your spot with an assessor. Even if you’re not ready today, get on a list. Otherwise, summer 2026 could be too late.
Don’t assume “not yet” means “not ever.” The DoD’s slow rollout is a capacity issue, not a free pass.
Bottom line:
CMMC isn’t just another compliance hoop–it’s the price of admission to the DoD market. Move now, or get left behind.
Want help cutting through the noise and figuring out if CMMC applies to your pipeline?
