If you are considering entering the Department of Defense market—or you are already in it but hoping CMMC might quietly go away—this episode is for you.

In this foundational discussion, I break down:

• What CMMC actually is (and what it is not)
• How CMMC relates to DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST SP 800-171
• When CMMC applies—and when it does not
• Why there is no universal CMMC deadline
• What “condition precedent to award” really means
• How scoping decisions materially impact cost and audit burden

In this episode, I also examine the phased implementation timeline, the contracting officer’s discretion in including CMMC requirements, and the structural realities of the C3PAO ecosystem that influence assessment cost and availability.

Bottom line:
CMMC is a DoD acquisition requirement designed to verify implementation of NIST SP 800-171. It becomes binding when it appears in your solicitation or contract—and it follows the flow of DoD information within your environment, not necessarily your entire enterprise.

If you work with DoD information—or are considering entering that market—strategic scoping and early planning are not optional.

Connect with me on LinkedIn, and if this episode clarified something for you, share it with your work bestie.

And remember—don’t say “cooey.” It’s ooey.