DoD Depending on Contract Primes to Serve as CMMC Mentors
The Department of Defense (DoD) is hoping prime contractors can serve as mentors in the upcoming CMMC implementation that is to roll out in 2020. A prime is simply a company that wins a contract, although several subcontractors can be hired and fall under the direction of the prime in order to fulfil contractual obligations. The DoD is hoping primes can assist their subcontractors in becoming CMMC certified, thus relieving the DoD of some of the pressures that may arise once the certification process gets rolling.
There is currently nothing in place that mandates prime contractors in assisting subcontractors come CMMC time, although DoD acquisition chief Ellen Lord hopes that companies will pick up the torch and assist their subs in gaining CMMC compliance. Lord also said that she does not envision the granting of any waivers and that primes should serve as a “help desk” for smaller companies employed as subs.
Lord also stated that most supply chain vulnerabilities lie several levels down from the prime, although the DoD is working to minimize costs with the subs who are at that vulnerable 6 or 7th level in the chain.
The accreditation process is to be conducted by a dedicated entity although the DoD has yet to name the company who will perform this monumental task.