Now here's the deal: if you're a manufacturer in Arizona serving the Department of Defense—and you're still "thinking about" CMMC compliance—you're already behind.
On July 22, 2025, the DoD submitted its final version of the CMMC rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. That's the last stop before it becomes law. No more drafts. No more delays. No more grace.
Once this thing clears, which could happen as soon as this fall, every DoD contract will require proof of CMMC compliance. Not intentions. Not progress. Certification.
Translation? No cert, no contract. Period.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (AND DO) RIGHT NOW
CMMC 2.0 is live ammo. It separates the contractors who are ready from those who just hope they are.
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If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you'll need a third-party assessor (C3PAO) to certify.
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If you don't have your NIST 800-171 score posted in SPRS, you're already out of compliance.
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There's no more self-attesting at Level 2.
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And there's no "wait and see" anymore.
If you think your MSP is going to rescue you at the eleventh hour, think again. Compliance isn't a rescue mission. It's a roadmap—and you should've started yesterday.
WHO'S COMING TO CHECK?
Everyone.
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DoD Contracting Officers will block you from bidding.
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DCMA will be checking your house after the award.
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The Cyber AB is watching every certified assessor.
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DOJ has the False Claims Act locked and loaded.
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Your prime contractor? They'll cut you loose before risking their own contract.
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Your MSP? Only if they specialize in compliance—not just passwords and printers.
This is zero-margin stuff. Almost compliant still means noncompliant.
ASTEROID IT'S CMMC CHECKLIST FOR MANUFACTURERS
If you're in Arizona and working in or near Phoenix, Tucson, or Prescott, this isn't abstract. This is your world. So here's what you do—today:
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Post your SPRS score.
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Finalize your System Security Plan (SSP).
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Close out those POA&Ms or prove exactly how and when you will.
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If you handle CUI, get your C3PAO assessment on the books now.
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Recheck your vendors—especially your MSP. (Hint: We specialize in Arizona manufacturers.)
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Bring leadership into the room. This can't live in IT alone.
WHAT THIS IS NOT
This is not the time to:
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Wait for your next contract to "figure it out"
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Think your good intentions buy time
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Rely on a partial solution
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Hope your prime covers for you
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Pretend you're ready when you're not
They will check. They will report. And the consequences will be swift.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE. ASTEROID IT IS BUILT FOR THIS.
We live here. We work with Arizona's defense-industrial manufacturers day in and day out. We know the difference between a good SOC and a good excuse. We've walked hundreds of manufacturers through this—and we're not about to let you fall behind now.
This isn't just another compliance box. This is your business. Your livelihood. Your people.
Let's lock in your readiness. Before the final rule locks you out.
Want a simple, actionable starting point?
Download our Free CMMC Readiness Checklist — we'll email you a copy so you can start fixing gaps today.
Call us today 480-937-7021
Schedule your CMMC Readiness Review.
Let's make sure your next contract isn't your last.