The wait is (almost) over. The CMMC Final Rule is now in the hands of the Office of Management and Budget, its last stop before implementation. That means you can expect to see CMMC requirements in contracts as early as October 2025.

If you’re a small manufacturer in the DoD supply chain, you need to start preparing now—especially if you’ll require a Level 2 assessment, which will be rolled out first.

Why Starting Early Matters

CMMC isn’t something you can scramble to complete once a contract drops. The time between a solicitation and contract award, known as Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT), is short:

•  Contracts under $50M: median PALT is 29 days

• Orders: just 21 days

• Definitive contracts: 97 days

In other words, you won’t have time to get compliant after a contract hits. You need to be ready before that.

What’s at Stake?

• CUI = Level 2: If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you’ll need a third-party assessment.

• False Claims Act liability: Falsely attesting to compliance can result in legal consequences.

• Lost contracts: Not being CMMC-ready could take you out of the running entirely.

Start With These Steps:

Our Cybersecurity Crash Course for Manufacturers webinar is a great start to review what you need to do.  And through all of these steps, OrbitalFire is Here to help you get ready:

1. Identify whether you receive or create CUI

2. Determine your required CMMC level

3. Assess your current NIST 800-171 compliance

4. Document and close any gaps

5. Create a System Security Plan (SSP) and POA&M

This isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about building cyber resilience and keeping your business eligible for federal contracts.

Small Manufacturers Have the Advantage

You may have fewer systems and people—but that’s a competitive edge. Less complexity means you can move faster, simplify compliance, and position your company as a ready-and-waiting DoD partner.

Whether you’ve begun the process or need to start from the beginning, we’re here to help you assess, remediate, and get ready for CMMC. Contact Us Today.