Prime Contractors · 2026-05-22 · Confidence: High
CMMC readiness is becoming a contract eligibility issue, not just a cybersecurity project
Summary
Many defense contractors still approach CMMC as a technical compliance initiative led primarily by IT teams. However, primes and procurement teams are increasingly evaluating CMMC readiness earlier in the award process — especially when subcontractors will handle CUI.
What this means
Audit readiness is becoming directly tied to contract eligibility. Organizations that delay evidence preparation, SSP documentation, access control validation, and SPRS readiness may find themselves under pressure long before a formal CMMC assessment begins. Treat the work as operational, not optional.