CMMC Level 2 Compliance for DoD & DoE Contractors – Solomon IT – East Tennessee

CMMC Level 2 Compliance for DoD & DoE Contractors

Get compliant. Win contracts. Protect your business.

Solomon IT helps East Tennessee contractors achieve CMMC Level 2 readiness with a clear roadmap, practical support, and local expertise — so you can bid on DoD and DoE work with confidence.

What is CMMC?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the Department of Defense’s official framework for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

For most contractors handling CUI, Level 2 is required. This means implementing all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls and undergoing a third-party assessment (C3PAO) in many cases.

CMMC 2.0 is now rolling out in phases, and both DoD and DoE contracts are increasingly requiring compliance. If you want to win or keep these contracts in 2026 and beyond, CMMC readiness is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Why CMMC Compliance Matters Now

If your business works with (or wants to work with) the Department of Defense or Department of Energy, CMMC directly impacts your ability to win contracts.

Key reasons to act now:

  • Many new solicitations already include CMMC requirements

  • Non-compliance means you cannot bid on covered contracts

  • DoE is tightening requirements alongside DoD

  • Early movers gain a competitive advantage

Waiting until a contract requires it often leads to rushed, expensive, and stressful compliance projects.

Many contractors attempt CMMC compliance internally and quickly discover it’s far more difficult than expected.

The Real Cost of Going It Alone (The DIY Trap)

Common challenges include:

  • Interpreting 110 complex controls across 14 domains

  • Creating audit-ready documentation (SSP, POA&M, policies, risk assessments)

  • Implementing the right technical controls (EDR, logging, access management, etc.)

  • Managing the process while running daily operations

Most businesses discover that DIY CMMC compliance takes 6–12 months and can easily cost $50,000–$120,000+ when you factor in lost time, rework, and missed deadlines.

How Solomon IT Simplifies Your CMMC Journey

As a Cyber AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO), Solomon IT provides end-to-end support tailored for East Tennessee contractors.

  • Gap Assessments – Identify exactly where you stand today

  • GCC & GCC High Guidance – Proper Microsoft 365 Government cloud configuration

  • Documentation & Policy Templates – Audit-ready SSP, POA&M, and policies

  • Endpoint & Network Security – EDR, firewalls, DNS protection, and secure backup

  • Employee Security Training – Practical training that actually sticks

  • Vulnerability Management & Pen Testing – Ongoing scanning and testing

  • 24/7 Security Monitoring & Incident Response

  • Compliance Manager (GRC) Support – Ongoing governance and evidence collection

We don’t just hand you a checklist — we work alongside your team to get you certified.

Realistic Timeline & Investment

Here’s what most contractors can expect when working with Solomon IT:

Typical Timeline

  • Initial Gap Assessment: 2–4 weeks

  • Remediation Phase: 3–6 months

  • Readiness Review + C3PAO Assessment: 2–3 months

  • Total: Approximately 6–12 months

Investment Ranges (Small to Mid-Size Contractors)

  • Gap Assessment & Plan of Action: $5,000 – $15,000

  • Remediation Tools & Services: $15,000 – $75,000+

  • C3PAO Certification Assessment: $10,000 – $30,000

Solomon IT offers transparent, bundled packages designed to reduce your overall cost and stress.

Why Partner with Solomon IT?

  • Local Expertise — Based in Oak Ridge, serving Knoxville and all of East Tennessee

  • Proven Credentials — Cyber AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO)

  • Practical Approach — We focus on real-world implementation, not just theory

  • Transparent Pricing — Clear costs with no hidden surprises

“If you don’t begin doing this now, you should plan to change your business model, because you won’t be doing business with the U.S. Government.”

— Sean Pennington, CEO, Solomon IT

CMMC Level 2 Compliance for DoD & DoE Contractors | Solomon IT – East Tennessee

DoE Seal sm
DoD Seal sm
Cyber AB CMMC Certification
  • CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the Department of Defense’s standardized approach to ensuring all contractors and subcontractors safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

    At Level 2, most contractors handling CUI must meet the 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls and undergo third-party assessment. This is not optional—it’s the key to maintaining and winning DoD contracts and soon DoE Contracts

  • Are you trying to achieve CMMC compliance alone? Here’s what most businesses quickly realize:

    • The Framework is Complex
      With multiple domains, capabilities, and practices, interpreting what each control means for your environment can be overwhelming.

    • Documentation is a Beast
      POA&Ms, SSPs, risk assessments, and policies—must be detailed and audit-ready.

    • You Need the Right Tools
      Without proper logging, endpoint protection, and vulnerability management in place, gaps form fast.

    • It’s a Time Sink
      CMMC prep can take 6–12 months and cost $50,000–$120,000+ depending on your environment—especially if you hit roadblocks doing it solo.ext goes here

  • Solomon IT is your regional partner for CMMC Level 2 readiness. Based in Oak Ridge, TN, and serving Knoxville and surrounding areas, we bring the tools, expertise, and strategy to guide you from uncertainty to certification.

    Gap Assessments
    GCC & GCC High Implementation Guidance
    Documentation & Policy Templates
    Endpoint & Network Security (EDR, Firewalls, DNS, Backup)
    Employee Training
    Vulnerability Management & Pen Testing
    24/7 Security Monitoring & Incident Response
    Compliance Manager GRC Support

  • Let’s get your business CMMC-ready—with less confusion, less cost, and a clear roadmap.

    📞 Call us today at (865) 309-4343

  • Solomon IT is a Cyber AB Registered Organization with CMMC compliance.

    Ask for our Cage Code.

    Find us on Cyber AB

    Only trust who you can find on Cyber AB, they are the CMMC Governing Authority.

CMMC Compliance Made Simple with Solomon IT

What is CMMC?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) framework designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). If your business works with the Department of Defense (DoD) or the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE)—or plans to—you must meet CMMC Level 2 requirements to continue winning contracts.

CMMC ensures that contractors implement and maintain strong cybersecurity practices based on NIST 800-171 standards. It’s not just a checklist—it's a commitment to ongoing security maturity.

How Long Does CMMC Compliance Take?

The journey to compliance depends on your current cybersecurity posture. On average:

  • Initial Gap Assessment: 2–4 weeks

  • Remediation Phase: 3–6 months

  • Readiness Review and C3PAO Assessment: 2–3 months

Total Time to Compliance: ~ 6 to 92 months

What Does CMMC Compliance Cost?

While costs vary based on your size, risk level, and existing systems, most small to mid-sized contractors can expect:

  • Gap Assessment & Plan of Action: $5,000 – $15,000

  • Remediation Tools & Services: $15,000 – $75,000+

  • Certification Assessment (C3PAO): $10,000 – $30,000

Attention - Look Here

Solomon IT provides transparent pricing with bundled packages designed to reduce your compliance burden.

Why Solomon IT
We Understand the Mission
Gcc & Gcc High Expertise
Tools that Work Together
End to End Support

Ready to Start Your CMMC Journey?

The DoD is already rolling out CMMC requirements, while the DOE has it built into many contracts and will soon require it. If you're not compliant, you're not eligible to bid. Let’s secure your future—starting today.

Non Compliance

Noncompliance Means Lost Contracts

Look, If you don’t begin doing this now, you should plan to change your business model, because you won’t be doing business with the U.S. Government
— Sean Pennington, CEO, Solomon IT - East Tennessee Economic Council CMMC Panel