CMMC Compliance Services

    CMMC 2.0 Compliance Services for U.S. Defense Contractors

    BlueRadius Cyber provides CMMC 2.0 compliance services to U.S. defense contractors and DoD-adjacent suppliers required to handle Controlled Unclassified Information. Our consultants guide suppliers through gap assessment against NIST SP 800-171, system security plan (SSP) and POA&M development, control implementation, evidence collection, mock assessments, and C3PAO assessment readiness. The CMMC 2.0 final rule is in effect and contract clauses are flowing down; suppliers that wait risk losing contract renewals.

    What CMMC 2.0 Requires

    CMMC 2.0 (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the Department of Defense framework that all defense contractors must satisfy to remain eligible for DoD contracts. The model has three certification levels keyed to the sensitivity of information the contractor handles:

    • Level 1: 17 basic safeguarding practices, self-attested annually. Applies to Federal Contract Information (FCI) only.
    • Level 2: 110 security practices from NIST SP 800-171, with third-party assessment by an accredited C3PAO. Applies to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling. This is where most defense suppliers land.
    • Level 3: enhanced practices beyond NIST SP 800-171, with government-led assessment. Applies to the most sensitive CUI; rule and control set still being finalized.

    Background on the timeline and rollout details: CMMC 2.0 compliance timeline for defense contractors.

    What Our CMMC Engagements Include

    Gap Assessment

    Mapping your current security controls against NIST SP 800-171 to identify which practices are in place, which are partially implemented, and which require new work. The gap assessment produces the baseline for everything that follows.

    System Security Plan (SSP) Development

    The SSP is the central document a C3PAO will assess. We develop SSPs that document each NIST SP 800-171 practice, the systems in scope, the boundary of the CUI environment, and the security architecture supporting compliance.

    POA&M Development and Management

    Plans of Action and Milestones document controls that are not yet fully implemented and the remediation plan to close them. POA&M discipline is essential during the runway to certification and after assessment.

    Control Implementation Support

    Technical implementation guidance for the controls that require new work: identity and access management, audit logging, configuration management, incident response, media protection, and the dozens of other technical and administrative controls NIST SP 800-171 requires.

    Evidence Collection

    Building the evidence repository that demonstrates ongoing operation of each control. C3PAO assessors will request artifacts during assessment; evidence discipline distinguishes programs that pass on first review from programs that scramble during assessment week.

    Mock Assessments

    Pre-C3PAO walkthroughs that test SSP completeness, evidence sufficiency, and control implementation against the assessment standards. Mock assessments identify and close gaps before they become formal findings.

    C3PAO Assessment Readiness

    Coordination with the C3PAO of your choice, preparation of the assessment package, walkthrough rehearsals, and support during the assessment itself.

    Ongoing Program Management

    CMMC is not a point-in-time certification. We provide fractional vCISO leadership after certification to maintain the program, prepare annual self-attestations, and prepare for triennial reassessment.

    Who We Serve

    Defense primes, tier-2 and tier-3 suppliers, defense electronics manufacturers, aerospace engineering firms, autonomous systems companies, defense IT and cyber service providers, and any DoD-adjacent supplier handling CUI. Our defense-vertical depth is concentrated in metros with major defense activity:

    • Fort Worth: defense primes, aerospace, industrial defense
    • McLean and Northern Virginia: federal contractors, intelligence community suppliers, defense IT
    • San Diego: NAVWAR-adjacent contractors, defense electronics
    • San Antonio: JBSA-adjacent suppliers, cleared cyber contractors
    • Denver: Lockheed, Ball, Sierra Nevada and the Front Range defense corridor
    • Seattle: Boeing tier-2 and tier-3 aerospace suppliers
    • Cleveland: defense-adjacent manufacturing
    • Houston: NASA-adjacent and Clear Lake aerospace contractors

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does a CMMC compliance services engagement include?

    A full CMMC 2.0 Level 2 engagement covers gap assessment against NIST SP 800-171 controls, system security plan (SSP) development, plan of action and milestones (POA&M) creation, control implementation support, technical and administrative documentation, evidence collection, mock assessments, and C3PAO assessment readiness. Many engagements also include ongoing fractional CISO leadership to maintain the program between annual assessments.

    How long does CMMC 2.0 Level 2 certification take?

    Typical engagements run 9 to 14 months from kickoff to C3PAO assessment readiness for defense suppliers starting from a moderate maturity baseline. Suppliers starting from zero (no existing security program) may need 12 to 18 months. Companies that wait too long miss contract renewal windows; start the gap assessment well before any DoD contract expects CMMC evidence.

    What does CMMC compliance typically cost?

    Project-based CMMC engagements typically run $75,000 to $200,000 over 9 to 14 months for Level 2 certification readiness, depending on starting maturity, environment complexity, and number of CUI enclaves. Larger defense suppliers with multiple facilities may run higher. Ongoing fractional vCISO retainers to maintain the program after certification typically run $6,000 to $20,000 per month. C3PAO assessment fees are separate and paid directly to the assessor.

    What is the difference between CMMC Level 1 and Level 2?

    CMMC 2.0 Level 1 applies to contracts involving only Federal Contract Information (FCI) and requires 17 basic safeguarding controls with self-attestation. Level 2 applies to contracts handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and requires implementation of the full 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171 with third-party assessment by a C3PAO. Level 3 (still being finalized) applies to the most sensitive CUI and includes additional controls plus government-led assessment.

    Do I need CMMC if I only work with non-DoD federal agencies?

    CMMC currently applies to DoD contracts only. Other federal agencies use FedRAMP for cloud providers, FISMA / NIST SP 800-53 for federal systems, and various agency-specific frameworks. However, the broader federal cybersecurity trend is converging toward common control baselines, and several non-DoD agencies are signaling interest in CMMC-equivalent requirements. If you sell across federal customers, building NIST SP 800-171 compliance now positions you well regardless of which framework an agency ultimately requires.

    Can you help if my CMMC deadline is tight?

    Yes, with caveats. Tight CMMC timelines require disciplined scoping: narrow the CUI enclave aggressively, use a managed compliance environment rather than rebuilding existing infrastructure, and accept some controls in POA&M status at initial assessment. We have helped defense suppliers achieve Level 2 readiness in as little as 6 months when a contract demanded it, but this requires honest scoping conversations upfront about what can realistically be in scope versus what must be deferred.

    Start with a CMMC Gap Assessment

    The fastest way to know where your CMMC program stands is a structured gap assessment against NIST SP 800-171. We map your current controls, identify the work required for Level 2 certification readiness, and return a written assessment with a realistic timeline and budget. Request a free cybersecurity assessment.