As government contractors move toward compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), every technology decision - especially when selecting critical systems like ERP, CRM, or data management platforms - must be made with security, compliance, and risk management in mind. Choosing the right vendor can make the difference between smooth certification and costly setbacks.
Below are some of the most common questions contractors should ask, and what to look for in a vendor.
FAQs for Evaluating Technology Vendors for CMMC Compliance
- Is the vendor FedRAMP Compliant or FedRAMP Ready? This distinction matters.
- FedRAMP Compliant: This means the vendor has successfully completed a rigorous security assessment by an accredited Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO), passed all federal requirements for cloud security, and maintains continuous monitoring. This can come in the form of FedRAMP Authorization (approved by a sponsoring federal agency or the Joint Authorization Board) or FedRAMP Equivalency (maintains a complete Body of Evidence (BoE) that documents all implemented controls, test results, and risk mitigations, and supports continuous monitoring and control maintenance).
- FedRAMP Ready : In contrast, a FedRAMP Ready vendor has only been preliminarily reviewed and has not yet proven full compliance. Risks of choosing a vendor who only has FedRAMP Ready status:
- Security: FedRAMP Ready status means the vendor hasn’t completed a full third-party audit, so their security controls remain unproven.
- Uncertain Compliance Path: There’s no guarantee the vendor will achieve full FedRAMP compliance (or when) creating compliance and timeline risks.
- Limited Federal Use: A Ready-only ERP cannot host CUI or meet most federal contract requirements tied to CMMC or DFARS.
- Higher Risk and Cost: Without compliance, your business carries greater security, compliance, and liability burdens.
- For CMMC purposes, choosing a FedRAMP Compliant solution greatly reduces risk and accelerates compliance alignment.
- Does the vendor work with a trusted cybersecurity expert firm/partner?
- Working with vendors that have established partnerships with reputable cybersecurity firms is critical for maintaining strong defenses and continuous compliance. These partners bring specialized expertise in federal data protection standards like NIST SP 800-171, DFARS, and CMMC, ensuring the vendor’s systems evolve alongside changing threat landscapes and regulatory updates.
Trusted cybersecurity partners also provide:- Proactive risk management through threat monitoring, penetration testing, and incident response.
- Compliance assurance by validating that configurations and controls remain aligned with DoD requirements.
- Working with vendors that have established partnerships with reputable cybersecurity firms is critical for maintaining strong defenses and continuous compliance. These partners bring specialized expertise in federal data protection standards like NIST SP 800-171, DFARS, and CMMC, ensuring the vendor’s systems evolve alongside changing threat landscapes and regulatory updates.
- How does the vendor manage security for emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
AI introduces new risks related to data privacy, model integrity, and information sharing. A trustworthy vendor should have clear policies on:- How AI tools access, store, and process data.
- Whether AI models are trained on sensitive or customer-specific data.
- How AI-generated outputs are monitored for accuracy, bias, and security.
Contractors should verify that any AI features operate within FedRAMP-authorized environments and adhere to DoD data-handling rules.
- What is the vendor’s track record with compliance and audits?
- Ask for documentation of past audits, continuous monitoring results, or security certifications (e.g., SOC 2). A strong compliance history shows a culture of accountability and readiness for federal oversight.
- Does the vendor offer transparency and ongoing compliance support?
- True compliance isn’t “one and done.” Seek vendors that provide:
- Regular security updates and compliance reporting.
- Customer visibility into shared responsibility models.
- Support for audit documentation and CMMC readiness assessments
- True compliance isn’t “one and done.” Seek vendors that provide:
Key Takeaway
When it comes to CMMC compliance, not all vendors are equal. A FedRAMP Compliant technology provider that works with cybersecurity experts, manages AI responsibly, and maintains continuous compliance will provide a foundation of trust and resilience for your federal contracts - reducing both risk and uncertainty.
Contact us at info@jamis.com to find out more about how JAMIS supports its customers that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and require Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 compliance - critical for companies doing business with the U.S. Department of Defense.
