Mapping Your Current Posture to CMMC Requirements

Once your environment and information flows are mapped, we begin the formal gap analysis. This is a control-by-control assessment, where we compare your existing cybersecurity safeguards against the 17 security requirements outlined by CMMC Level 1. These practices are derived from NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 and are focused on protecting FCI through basic cyber hygiene.

This evaluation is both technical and procedural. We examine whether user access is limited on a need-to-know basis, if multi-factor authentication is implemented, how removable media is handled, and whether unauthorized physical access to systems is possible. Every control is assessed against a checklist based on the NIST 800-171A audit methodology to ensure defensibility.

Once our consultants complete this assessment, we develop a detailed gap report. This document outlines each unmet requirement, why it is out of scope or insufficient, and exactly what needs to be done to bring the control into compliance. We also include a maturity rating to illustrate how far off each control is from where it needs to be, along with an estimated remediation timeline.

You’ll also receive your unofficial CMMC readiness score and a projected SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) self-assessment score. At this stage, we also begin drafting your Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), which will list each unresolved issue and track your remediation progress.

Corrective Action & Control Implementation

After the gap assessment is complete, we transition into active remediation. This is where we close the gaps between your current security posture and the requirements for CMMC Level 1 certification. Our team supports both technical and administrative remediation, ensuring that the 17 required practices are not just understood, but implemented and enforceable.

On the technical side, we guide your team through adjustments to access control mechanisms, such as removing shared accounts, applying least privilege policies, and implementing time-based logouts. We advise on simple, cost-effective methods for implementing multi-factor authentication, secure log storage, and automated screen lockouts. Our recommendations are customized to your existing tools and systems—no unnecessary software or vendor lock-in.

Administratively, we help you draft the policies that must be in place for auditors to validate your controls. This includes a customized System Security Plan (SSP), detailing your infrastructure, boundary, and specific control implementations. We provide policy templates tailored to CMMC Level 1 expectations, including access control, physical security, incident reporting, and removable media handling.

All documentation is aligned with DoD expectations for traceability, version control, and audit-readiness. This phase is also where we train your staff on maintaining compliant behavior, such as secure email practices, badge requirements, or clean desk policies. Once these changes are implemented, we conduct a post-remediation review to verify that your new state is compliant and sustainable.

Submission & Official Compliance Entry

With your technical and administrative controls in place, your organization is ready to complete the official self-assessment. Unlike CMMC Level 2 and above, Level 1 allows for self-assessment accompanied by a senior official affirmation statement. However, the information submitted must be accurate, complete, and defensible in the event of a DoD inquiry or audit.

We guide your leadership team in preparing this self-assessment using the DoD’s standardized scoring methodology (based on NIST 800-171). You’ll receive your final SSP and POA&M files, which must be retained for a minimum of three years and made available upon DoD request.

Next, we walk your organization step-by-step through the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) account setup process. This includes requesting access via PIEE (Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment), validating the correct Entity ID (SAM registration), and submitting your score securely.

We assist in drafting your executive affirmation letter, which must be signed by a senior official within your organization, attesting to the accuracy of the self-assessment. Once everything is submitted and your SPRS entry is confirmed, you will be officially marked as CMMC Level 1 compliant.

This phase includes a final compliance package for your internal records, complete with your SSP, POA&M, system boundary diagram, training logs, and a compliance certificate issued by Federal Bid Partners LLC.

Sustaining Compliance & Staying Competitive

Achieving CMMC Level 1 certification is not a one-time activity—it must be reaffirmed annually, and your practices must evolve alongside threats and federal updates. That’s why Federal Bid Partners offers post-certification services to help your organization maintain compliance long-term.

We offer optional quarterly or semi-annual check-ins where we review your control implementation status, validate policy adherence, and update any documentation as needed. If an incident occurs or a significant change is made to your IT infrastructure, we assist in revising your SSP and POA&M accordingly.

Our team monitors changes from DoD, NIST, and the CMMC-AB to ensure you stay ahead of emerging updates. If CMMC Level 2 becomes a requirement in your future contracts, we’ll help you plan a seamless transition to that higher level of certification.

To reinforce your credibility with clients and primes, we provide you with a CMMC Level 1 Compliant Badge for use on your website, capability statements, and proposal submissions. We also maintain your SPRS score documentation in case of an audit or revalidation request from an agency.

By sustaining your compliance with proactive support and strategic foresight, you not only remain eligible for DoD work—you stay competitive in a tightening cyber landscape.