Your SAM registration cost you time and paperwork. Now it's sitting there doing nothing while your competitors are winning contracts. Here's how to fix that.
What Is CMMC and Why Does It Matter in 2025
CUI Compliance 101: What Every New Federal Contractor Should Know
When you’re just starting out in federal contracting, it’s easy to focus on the obvious hurdles: SAM registration, past performance, and finding bid opportunities. But one of the less visible and potentially contract-killing obstacles is something many new contractors overlook: how to handle sensitive government information.
Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) isn’t classified, but it’s still considered sensitive by federal agencies. And if your contract involves it, even indirectly, you’re expected to meet strict security standards from day one. For small businesses, especially, ignoring CUI compliance can mean losing contracts, getting flagged during award evaluations, or being shut out of future work altogether.
So what exactly is CUI, and how do you handle it the right way without building a massive IT team? Here’s what it means, what the rules say, and the steps your business should take now to stay eligible and competitive.
A Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract reimburses a contractor for allowable costs incurred during a project and provides a fixed fee for profit. Unlike Firm-Fixed-Price contracts, where contractors assume the risk of cost overruns, CPFF contracts protect businesses from financial loss while still ensuring a reasonable return.
Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, and the Federal Government is paying attention. To protect sensitive data within the defense supply chain, the Department of Defense (DoD) created the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). For contractors looking to secure or maintain government contracts, getting CMMC certified isn't just a recommendation—it’s a must.
The date December 16, 2024, marks a pivotal milestone for defense contractors. By this deadline, all entities within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) are required to meet Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 requirements to maintain eligibility for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. This milestone represents the culmination of years of policy refinement aimed at fortifying national security by safeguarding sensitive defense information.
The Joint Certification Program (JCP) is critical for U.S. and Canadian contractors who want to access unclassified but sensitive military technical data. If your company plans to work with the Department of Defense (DoD), obtaining JCP certification is often necessary to handle the technical data required for these projects.
JCP certification allows contractors to access Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which is crucial when dealing with defense contracts. For example, even if you're manufacturing something as simple as a special bolt for a weapon system, you’ll need JCP certification to access the design files.
As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important across all sectors, non-Department of Defense (DoD) federal contractors must stay vigilant about their cybersecurity practices. This article explores the key cybersecurity regulations that apply to non-DoD contractors, emerging trends in the federal cybersecurity landscape, and practical steps to enhance cybersecurity readiness.
Success in federal contracting, especially with the Department of Defense (DoD), requires a deep understanding of compliance. If your company handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or works closely with the DoD, mastering systems like PIEE/WAWF, JCP, and SPRS is essential. Additionally, ensuring compliance with NIST 800-171 is a critical step. This guide will walk you through the steps needed to align your business with these stringent federal standards.
Cyberattacks are a constant threat in today's world, from stealing personal information to breaching large information systems. In response, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has created the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program, which aims to advance cybersecurity and privacy through research and education.
