← Manufacturing Technology Consulting
On-site consultants · Nashville · Memphis · Knoxville · Chattanooga · Jackson · Tri-Cities
Cybersecurity for DoD Suppliers
CMMC enforcement is underway. Tennessee MEP helps defense contractors and subcontractors assess their compliance posture, close gaps against NIST SP 800-171, and prepare for certification — so they can keep bidding and winning DoD work.
Talk to us about where to start your compliance journey.
Not a DoD supplier?
General cybersecurity best practices, risk assessments, and workforce training are available for all Tennessee manufacturers regardless of customer base.
CMMC ENFORCEMENT IS UNDERWAY
The CMMC Phased Rollout — Key Dates
CMMC is no longer pending — it is enforceable. Manufacturers who have not started their compliance journey are already behind. Most organizations require six to twelve months to prepare for a formal assessment.
Phase 1 — Now
November 10, 2025
CMMC requirements now appearing in new DoD contracts. Level one and Level two self-assessments required for applicable solicitations. C3PAO third-party assessments required at DoD discretion for select contracts.
Phase 2 — Approaching
November 10, 2026
Level two C3PAO third-party certification required in applicable contracts. Manufacturers who have not achieved Level two certification will be unable to bid on those contracts. Prime contractors are already flowing requirements to subcontractors now.
Phase 3
November 10, 2027
Level three DIBCAC assessments begin appearing in contracts for the most sensitive CUI programs. Contractors handling highly sensitive defense information must meet NIST SP 800-172 requirements.
Phase 4 — Full Implementation
November 10, 2028
Full CMMC implementation across all applicable DoD contracts. No waivers, no exceptions. Ongoing certification maintenance required for all contractors and subcontractors in the defense supply chain.
For the official CMMC program details, visit the DoD CMMC Program Office → and the NIST 800-171 Requirements overview →
Not sure where your facility stands against NIST 800-171? Tennessee MEP helps you understand your current posture, identify your gaps, and build a realistic path to certification.
HOW WE HELP
Tennessee MEP CMMC and NIST 800-171 Support
Tennessee MEP provides hands-on compliance support at every stage of your CMMC journey — from initial gap assessment through certification readiness.
Compliance Assessment
A thorough gap assessment against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls establishes your current SPRS score, identifies deficiencies, and creates the foundation for your compliance roadmap.
Start here
Remediation Planning
Tennessee MEP consultants help you build a tailored compliance roadmap that prioritizes remediation actions by risk, maps to your budget, and drives your SPRS score toward the required level.
Close the gaps
SSP and POA&M Development
A System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) are required documentation for CMMC compliance. Tennessee MEP helps you develop and maintain both with the rigor assessors expect.
Required documentation
Training and Awareness
CMMC requires documented cybersecurity awareness training for your workforce. Tennessee MEP delivers training that meets compliance requirements and builds a culture of security across your organization.
Workforce readiness
Ongoing Compliance Support
CMMC certification must be maintained continuously. Tennessee MEP provides ongoing reviews and updates to help you sustain compliance as DoD requirements evolve and your systems change.
Stay certified
Trying to break into government contracting?
The Tennessee APEX Accelerator helps businesses navigate federal procurement, understand contract requirements, and position themselves to win government work. Cybersecurity compliance is a key part of that process.
CMMC AND NIST 800-171, EXPLAINED
Common Questions
What is CMMC and why does it matter for DoD suppliers? +
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the Department of Defense's program for verifying that contractors and subcontractors have the cybersecurity controls in place to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). CMMC enforcement began November 10, 2025, with CMMC requirements now appearing in new DoD contracts and solicitations. Without the required certification level, manufacturers will not be eligible to bid on or win DoD contracts.
What are the three CMMC certification levels? +
CMMC defines three certification levels. Level one, Foundational, requires 15 basic security practices to protect Federal Contract Information and is verified through annual self-assessment. Level two, Advanced, requires implementation of all 110 security controls in NIST SP 800-171 to protect Controlled Unclassified Information and is verified through either self-assessment or third-party assessment by a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). Level three, Expert, adds requirements from NIST SP 800-172 for the most sensitive CUI and requires assessment by the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC). Most Tennessee manufacturers in the defense supply chain will require Level two certification.
How does Tennessee MEP help manufacturers achieve CMMC compliance? +
The Tennessee MEP support process follows three phases. In phase one, Tennessee MEP consultants conduct a thorough compliance assessment of your current security posture against NIST SP 800-171 requirements, identifying gaps and establishing your baseline SPRS score. In phase two, consultants work with your team to remediate identified gaps, implement required controls, develop your System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), and prepare your workforce through cybersecurity awareness training. In phase three, Tennessee MEP provides ongoing support to sustain compliance, prepare for formal C3PAO assessment, and adapt to evolving DoD cybersecurity requirements.
What is NIST SP 800-171 and how does it relate to CMMC? +
NIST SP 800-171 is the National Institute of Standards and Technology publication that defines 110 security controls for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in non-federal systems. CMMC Level two certification requires full implementation of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls. Many DoD contractors are already required to comply with NIST 800-171 under existing DFARS contract clauses — CMMC adds formal verification and certification requirements on top of that baseline. Learn more on our NIST 800-171 Requirements page →
How long does CMMC compliance preparation take? +
Most organizations require six to twelve months to prepare for a CMMC Level two assessment, and the process can take longer depending on your current security posture and the complexity of your systems. The phased CMMC rollout began November 10, 2025, with Level two third-party certification requirements beginning to appear in contracts as of November 10, 2026. Manufacturers who have not yet started should begin their compliance process immediately — prime contractors are already flowing CMMC requirements down to subcontractors ahead of the formal deadlines.
For detailed control requirements, visit our NIST 800-171 Requirements page →
CMMC is enforced. The time to prepare is now.
Tennessee MEP helps defense manufacturers and subcontractors across the state close their NIST 800-171 gaps, build required documentation, and achieve the certification level their contracts demand.