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.