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Significant Gaps Remain in Industry's CMMC Readiness, Report Finds
This article sheds light on the challenges facing the defense industrial base as it strives to meet the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements. Despite years of preparation, a majority of companies remain unprepared, with confusion, high costs, and misconceptions contributing to the struggle. Drawing insights from Redspin’s revealing report and expert commentary, the article highlights key obstacles and provides actionable guidance for businesses aiming to navigate the complexities of CMMC compliance. Whether you’re part of the defense industry or interested in cybersecurity trends, this is a must-read for understanding the evolving landscape of cyber defense standards.
Final Rule for CMMC Cybersecurity Program Goes Into Effect For Defense Contractors
The final rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) goes into effect, requiring defense contractors to meet cybersecurity standards based on the sensitivity of the data they handle. Contractors working with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI) must comply with one of three levels of CMMC, ensuring enhanced protection of sensitive government data across the supply chain.
Cybersecurity
Win or Lose: Using CMMC 2.0 Proposed Rule to Position Yourself for DOD Contracts
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program has been a headache for many defense contractors since the idea was first introduced in 2019. The program seeks to protect unclassified information, including federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) not intended for public release, shared by the Department of Defense (DOD) with its contractors and subcontractors. In December 2023, the DOD proposed a rule to formally codify the CMMC Program in a phased rollout. The DOD has now released a proposed rule relevant to Phase 1, another steps towards the ultimate goal of requiring certain DOD contractors handling sensitive information to achieve a particular CMMC level as a condition of contract award. DOD contractors that process, store, or transmit FCI or CUI (or plan to do so in the future) must become familiar with the CMMC Program as it could ‘make‑or‑break’ winning or losing major government contracts.
MySBA Certifications
To increase opportunities for America’s small business owners, the SBA has rolled out MySBA Certifications, a streamlined technology tool that makes it easier for entrepreneurs to apply for multiple certifications with a single application.
SBA is now accepting applications for VetCert, HUBZone, Women-Owned and Economically-Disadvantaged Women-Owned, and 8(a) small business certifications. If you have an account in the MySBA loan portal or VetCert, you can log in with that account email and password. If you have an existing account for HUBZone, WOSB or EDWOSB, or the 8(a) program, you must create a new account to apply. To report a change to your business for a current certification, use the VetCert, HUBZone, WOSB or EDWOSB, or 8(a) program websites. Entity-owned firms cannot apply for certification yet, but that application will be coming soon.
Contact your North Dakota APEX Accelerator advisor for assistance with any of the SBA certification programs.
America's Seed Fund Community Resources
America's Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to startups and small businesses to develop technology and chart a path toward commercialization. How do innovators and founders learn about America's Seed Fund? Most often it's through their entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) - the accelerators, incubators, investors, labs, and other programs that help them along their journey.
This site is designed to support the entire innovation ecosystem - the ESOs that support entrepreneurship and the innovators (startups and small businesses) - building technology that is critical for America's economic prosperity, global competitiveness, and national security.
If you click the link and scroll down, you can sign up for the newsletter!
Innovative Solutions Needed!
Discover a variety of innovative challenges,where you can participate and share yourown creative ideas to potentially win majorfederal rewards. There are countless differentand unique opportunities to participate in! Click the link below to learn more.
DHS Science and Technology Request
DEFENSEWERX (DWX), in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, is searching for innovative capabilities to address DHS challenges. Our North Dakota businesses might have the solution!
Submit your technology for DHS S&T's review and the potential to help secure our Nation. Technology Submission Form
SAM.gov Information
Small businesses play a vital role in making our lives better. Whether it’s that charming café you frequently visit, the independent bookstore you love, or the local contractor who remodeled your kitchen, you interact with them every day. However, not all small businesses serve the general public; some provide goods and services to the federal government. And that’s where SAM.gov comes in.
SAM.gov is where your small business can register to be able to contract with the federal government. The person who registers your business will be responsible for managing your information in the system. They’re called your Entity Administrator. They’ll have some different jobs to do, but the most important is renewing your SAM.gov registration annually. If you have only one Entity Administrator and they’re unavailable, you can’t renew your entity registration. An expired registration means your entity can't do business with the federal government, so don't let that happen!
For those of you with only one Entity Administrator, ask them to invite others to help manage your registration. They’ll need to choose the new Entity Administrators carefully since the added users will have the ability to add others and manage your registration as well. By adding more Entity Administrators, you’ll help ensure your small business continues to work with the federal government and keep it going strong!
More About SAM.gov
SAM is 100% free to all users. Contact an APEX advisor for assistance with SAM registration.
Don’t make the mistakes that cause delays with your entity registration in SAM.gov. The Federal Service Desk (FSD) shares seven reasons entity validation documents are rejected learn more.
The IAE facilitates the federal awards processes in multiple online systems, including the SAM. Those systems are used for registering to do business with the federal government, listing contract opportunities, capturing contractor performance, viewing contract data, searching assistance listings, reporting subcontracts, and learn more.
Regional News
Notice To Contractors
All prime contractors who wish to bid on North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) construction projects must prequalify with this office at least 10 working days prior to the bid opening in which you would like to bid. Prequalification is required annually and runs from July 1 each year through June 30 of the following year.
Online prequalification can be completed on our website.
- Enter your company name as you want it to appear on bid reports, contracts, etc. It should also be the same as on your ND contractor’s license.
- Enter both mailing and physical addresses if they are different.
- Enter phone and fax numbers as you want them to appear on the Qualified Contractors list on our website.
- Before submitting your prequalification, please verify that all uploaded forms and documents are complete and legible. Do not attach documents/information that is not required or requested. All documents should be updated from prior year.
- Acceptance/bid capacity rating letters will be prepared and posted on your online prequalification page after it has been approved. You will receive an email notice when the letter is posted. Once the prequalification is approved, your company will be added to the current Qualified Contractors list on our website. Assigned bidder ID numbers are included in letter.
- If you use bonding company limits, it is your responsibility to attached it to your prequalification.
They will be processed in the order they are received. Current prequalifications will be extended until the renewals are approved as long as the renewal has been submitted prior to bidding on work after July 1. We anticipate most of the renewals will be completed and approved by September 1.
SUBCONTRACTOR REGISTRATION
Contractors who wish to work on NDDOT projects as a subcontractor only can register online or submit a Subcontractor Registration Request form to this office. The form can be found on our website and it can be submitted by fax or email. Prequalified contractors do not have to register to work on NDDOT projects as a subcontractor. Subcontractor registrations are due annually and expire each year on December 31.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact this office.
Jeanne Morehouse
NDDOT-Construction Services
E-Mail jmorehouse@nd.gov
Air Force GBSD Program
The Department of the Air Force’s new weapon system, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, has officially been designated the LGM-35A Sentinel. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the designation for the system that modernizes the ICBM leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad.“Our Nation’s nuclear deterrent force, two legs of which is operated by Airmen, has quietly provided a strategic security shield for decades,” Kendall said. “All that time, the Department of the Air Force has kept the watch; always vigilant and ready. The name Sentinel recognizes the mindset that thousands of Airmen, past and present, have brought to the deterrence mission, and will serve as a reminder for those who operate, secure, and maintain this system in the future about the discipline and responsibility their duty entails...”
North Dakota Secretary of State
Registration and reporting requirements with ND Secretary of State (SOS) vary by business type. State agencies need to ensure that vendors have complied with SOS and business license requirements stated in solicitations. Learn more about how to bid at the ND OMB Doing Business with the State website or contact your ND APEX advisor.