29°45'N 97°00'W // VICTORIA & HOUSTON, TX // CMMC LEVEL 2 // NIST 800-171 // SDVOSB CERTIFIED
Defense Industrial Base — CMMC Gap Assessment Available

CMMCCOMPLIANCE CONSULTING

CMMC Level 2 compliance built by veterans who understand what is at stake. Gap assessment, System Security Plan, Plan of Action and Milestones, CUI handling procedures, and C3PAO readiness — from consultants who have operated inside the defense ecosystem, not just read the framework.

// Verified Credential

Our lead consultant holds CMMC Lead Assessor certification and operates within a C3PAO framework — the same assessment methodology used in actual CMMC audits. When we prepare your organization, we are using the exact lens that a certified third-party assessor will apply on audit day.

Objective // The Requirement

CMMC IS NOT
OPTIONAL.
IT IS COMING.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is the Department of Defense's answer to years of supply chain compromises. If your business handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) under a DoD contract or subcontract, CMMC Level 2 is a contractual requirement — not a best practice, not optional.

CMMC Level 2 requires full compliance with all 110 controls in NIST SP 800-171, a documented System Security Plan, a third-party assessment by a C3PAO, and a credible POAM for any unmet controls. False certification carries False Claims Act liability. The time to start is before the contract requires it.

// Level 1 — Foundational
LEVEL 1
17 basic practices. Self-assessment allowed. FCI but no CUI.
Applies to contractors handling Federal Contract Information but not Controlled Unclassified Information. Annual self-assessment with SPRS score reporting required. Basic cyber hygiene — password requirements, antivirus, access controls.
// Level 2 — Advanced // Most Contractors
LEVEL 2
110 NIST 800-171 controls. C3PAO third-party assessment required.
Applies to contractors handling CUI under DoD programs. Requires full compliance with NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2. Third-party assessment by an authorized C3PAO is required for most contracts. System Security Plan and POAM required. This is where most defense contractors must operate.
// Level 3 — Expert
LEVEL 3
170+ practices. Government-led assessment. Highest-priority programs.
Reserved for contractors supporting the most sensitive DoD programs. Builds on Level 2 with additional controls. Assessments are conducted by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Required for a small subset of the defense industrial base.
// 01 — START HERE
NIST 800-171 Gap Assessment

Systematic evaluation of all 110 NIST 800-171 controls against your current environment. Each control is documented as Met, Partially Met, or Not Met with evidence. You receive a prioritized findings report with remediation recommendations, estimated effort, and a realistic compliance timeline. The mandatory starting point for every CMMC engagement.

Required First Step
// 02
System Security Plan (SSP)

Development of your System Security Plan — the formal document describing your system boundary, the information types processed, and how each of the 110 controls is implemented. The SSP is reviewed by C3PAO assessors and is required for CMMC Level 2. An incomplete or inaccurate SSP is a primary cause of assessment findings and delays.

C3PAO-Ready Documentation
// 03
POAM Creation

Development of your Plan of Action and Milestones documenting every gap, the remediation approach, scheduled completion dates, and responsible parties. A credible POAM is required and accepted by assessors — it demonstrates that you understand your gaps and have a realistic plan. A fraudulent POAM carries False Claims Act liability. We build ones that hold up to scrutiny.

Legally Defensible · Realistic
// 04 — CRITICAL
CUI Handling Procedures

Development of policies and technical controls for proper CUI identification, labeling, access control, encrypted transmission and storage, and disposal. CUI mishandling is one of the most common compliance failures in the defense supply chain — and one of the most consequential. Vaelance builds CUI handling procedures your team can actually follow.

Labeling · Access · Encryption · Disposal
// 05
Technical Remediation

Implementation of the technical controls required by NIST 800-171 — multi-factor authentication, access control configuration, audit logging, encryption at rest and in transit, network segmentation, vulnerability management, and incident response capability. Vaelance builds the IT infrastructure that makes your SSP statements accurate, not aspirational.

MFA · Encryption · Logging · Segmentation
// 06
C3PAO Audit Preparation

Pre-assessment readiness review simulating the C3PAO evaluation process — reviewing documentation completeness, testing control implementations, identifying remaining gaps, and preparing your team for the interview and evidence collection process. Organizations that engage Vaelance for audit prep arrive at their C3PAO assessment ready, not scrambling.

Readiness Review · Evidence Prep
Method // The Compliance Path

HOW WE GET
YOU THERE

01
Scoping & System Boundary Definition

Define the boundary of your CMMC environment: what systems, personnel, and locations are in scope; where CUI flows; and what third-party services are part of the system. A too-broad scope makes compliance unnecessarily expensive. A too-narrow scope creates assessment risk. Getting scope right is the foundation of a defensible program.

02
NIST 800-171 Gap Assessment

Evaluate all 110 controls against your current environment with evidence review. Each control documented as Met, Partially Met, or Not Met. Findings prioritized by risk level, remediation complexity, and dependency order. SPRS score calculated based on actual assessment results — not an optimistic self-estimate.

03
Remediation Planning & POAM

For every gap identified, a remediation plan is developed with specific technical actions, estimated effort, cost, responsible party, and completion milestone. The POAM is a living document — updated as work progresses. Realistic, defensible, and built to survive C3PAO scrutiny. False Claims Act exposure is real; we build POAMs that are honest about where you stand.

04
Technical Implementation

Vaelance implements the technical controls your program requires — network segmentation, MFA, audit logging, encrypted storage, access control configuration, vulnerability management, and incident response procedures. We do not just document what needs to happen; we build the infrastructure that makes it true.

05
Documentation & SSP Completion

System Security Plan completed with accurate descriptions of every implemented control, supporting evidence, and references to policies and procedures. CUI handling procedures documented. Incident response plan drafted. Configuration management policy in place. C3PAO assessors will review this documentation; every statement must be defensible with evidence.

06
C3PAO Readiness Review & Assessment Support

Final readiness review simulating the C3PAO assessment process. Review of all documentation, spot-testing of control implementations, preparation of evidence packages, and coaching for the interview process. Organizations that prepare properly for C3PAO assessments avoid costly delays and findings that require expensive emergency remediation.

Intel // Common Questions

CMMC
QUESTIONS

CMMC is a DoD cybersecurity framework required for companies in the Defense Industrial Base that handle Controlled Unclassified Information. If your company has a DoD contract or subcontract involving CUI, you will need CMMC Level 2 certification. This includes thousands of small businesses in the defense supply chain that may not realize the requirement flows down to them.
Level 1 is 17 basic practices with self-assessment, for contractors handling FCI only. Level 2 is 110 NIST 800-171 controls with mandatory C3PAO third-party assessment — this applies to most defense contractors handling CUI. Level 3 is reserved for the highest-sensitivity DoD programs with government-led assessment.
NIST SP 800-171 is a set of 110 cybersecurity requirements for protecting CUI in non-federal systems. CMMC Level 2 is essentially an enforcement mechanism for NIST 800-171 — every Level 2 practice maps directly to a NIST 800-171 requirement. Compliance with NIST 800-171 means alignment with CMMC Level 2.
A gap assessment is a systematic review of your cybersecurity posture against all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. Each control is evaluated as Met, Partially Met, or Not Met. The result is a documented picture of where you stand, what gaps exist, and what work is required to achieve compliance. It is the mandatory first step of any serious CMMC program.
The SSP describes your information system boundary, the types of information processed, and how each of the 110 controls is implemented. C3PAO assessors review the SSP as a core part of the assessment. An incomplete or inaccurate SSP is one of the most common reasons organizations receive findings. Vaelance builds SSPs that accurately reflect your implemented controls with supporting evidence.
A Plan of Action and Milestones documents every control not yet fully implemented, the remediation approach, scheduled completion dates, and responsible parties. A credible POAM is accepted by assessors — it demonstrates you understand your gaps and have a realistic plan. A fabricated POAM or inflated SPRS score exposes your company to False Claims Act liability with civil penalties up to three times the contract value.
Timeline depends on the starting point. A small business starting from scratch typically takes 6 to 18 months to reach CMMC Level 2. Organizations that have been following NIST 800-171 under DFARS 252.204-7012 may reach assessment readiness in 3 to 6 months. The earlier you start, the better — CMMC requirements are being embedded in DoD contracts now.
CUI is government information requiring safeguarding per law or regulation but not classified. Common examples include technical drawings, specifications, and procurement data. Proper handling requires identification, labeling, access controls, encrypted storage and transmission, and documented disposal procedures — all described in your SSP.
A C3PAO is an authorized CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization that conducts official CMMC Level 2 assessments. For contracts requiring Level 2, you must receive certification from a C3PAO — self-assessment is not sufficient. Vaelance prepares your organization for the C3PAO assessment by closing gaps, completing documentation, and conducting a readiness review before the formal assessment.
Yes. CMMC requirements flow down through the supply chain. If a prime contractor is required to be CMMC certified and you handle CUI from them, you will also be required to meet the same CMMC level. Many small subcontractors are unaware of this obligation until a prime contractor asks for their SPRS score or certification status.
Non-compliant contractors will be ineligible to bid on or perform contracts requiring CMMC as requirements roll out through DoD contract modifications. Additionally, false certification on government contracts triggers False Claims Act liability with civil penalties of up to three times the contract value. The risk of inaction is significant — both to contract eligibility and legal exposure.
Yes. CMMC consulting is largely remote — gap assessments, documentation, and policy development can all be conducted remotely. Technical remediation may require on-site presence depending on the nature of gaps. We serve defense contractors across the United States, with our primary focus on Texas and Gulf Coast region businesses.
A failed C3PAO assessment requires re-assessment fees of $15,000–$40,000 plus emergency remediation on a compressed timeline. The CMMC Level 2 Gap Assessment — covering all 110 NIST 800-171 controls with written findings, risk-prioritized remediation roadmap, SSP skeleton, and POAM template — is priced at $14,500 flat. For organizations with capable internal IT staff who need compliance documentation completed by experts, the CMMC Readiness Package ($22,000–$32,000) includes the gap assessment, full SSP development, POAM management, and CUI handling procedures — technical remediation not included. Full readiness engagements including documentation, technical remediation, and C3PAO audit preparation typically range from $45,000 to $85,000. Post-certification compliance maintenance is available as a monthly vCISO retainer at $2,500–$3,500/month, covering policy updates, evidence refresh, annual SPRS recalculation, and pre-assessment support. Vaelance provides a written scope and quote before any work begins.
Vaelance was founded by disabled service veterans who operated inside the defense ecosystem — we understand why these requirements exist, not just what the checklist says. We build compliance programs that are operationally sound, not bureaucratic theater. We also understand the small business context: we will not over-scope your program or recommend enterprise tools that are overkill for your organization's size and risk profile.
// CMMC — Start Before the Contract Requires It

GET YOUR
CMMC GAP ASSESSMENT

We will give you an honest picture of where your organization stands against NIST 800-171, what gaps need to be closed, and what a realistic compliance timeline looks like for your business. No jargon. No inflated scopes. Just a straight answer.

Response Within 24 Hours  //  Veteran-Owned SDVOSB  //  Defense Contractor Specialists