CMMC Mistake #4

Waiting Until the Solicitation Demands Proof

Many small defense contractors assume they can “deal with CMMC later”. After all, until it’s a problem, it’s not a problem.
That mindset is putting entire pipelines at risk.

Mistake #4 is waiting until a solicitation requires proof of compliance before taking action. By then, it’s often already too late.

The Hidden Reality

Most organizations underestimate how long readiness actually takes:

• Control documentation writing

• Evidence collection

• Policy development

• Employee training records

• Internal validation reviews

• Score calculations and SPRS uploads

Even for companies with solid cybersecurity tooling, governance, and documentation gaps slow everything down. You don’t fail because of missing firewalls; you fail because of missing proof.

The Practical Fix

Instead of reacting when contracts change, shift into preemptive readiness mode:

Step 1: Conduct a CMMC Readiness Assessment Now

Get a validated snapshot of your current state and determine what Level applies to your work.

Step 2: Upload Your SPRS Score

Level 1 and Level 2 contractors still must document compliance, even during self-assessment phases.

Step 3: Build Your CMMC Portfolio

Your CMMC “audit binder” should already contain:

• Mapped policies

• Training completion records

• Control evidence

• System inventories

• POA&M tracking

This isn’t paperwork for paperwork’s sake; it’s what auditors and primes will want to see.

Use Compliance as a Competitive Advantage

Waiting is a defensive behavior. Preparedness is a sales strategy.

Successful firms gain:

• Increased eligibility for new proposals

• Preferred supplier status with primes

• Faster partnering approvals

• Reduced “due diligence friction” during teaming

When primes vet subcontractors, they prefer vendors who can prove they’re ready, not vendors promising to be ready “soon.”

Final Thought

Waiting for compliance requirements isn’t cautious. It’s risky.

CMMC readiness isn’t something you do once the contract demands it.
It’s something you bring with you to the proposal table.

If you don’t already have proof ready, the safest time to start was yesterday.
The second-best time is today.

Need help building real readiness—not just a checklist?
Schedule a no-cost readiness discussion with a Registered Practitioner at Gruntworks Technology LLC and turn CMMC from a roadblock into a competitive advantage.