CMMC Cost Guide
How Much Does CMMC Actually Cost?
Straight answers. No sales pitch. Real ranges from the defense contractor ecosystem — broken down by company size.
Quick answer
The Real Numbers
What defense contractors actually pay, by company size. Costs vary based on scope, current posture, and which systems touch CUI.
Company Size
Level 1 — Self-Assessment
Level 2 — C3PAO Required
Under 25 employees
$5K – $15K/year
$30K – $80K total
25–100 employees
$5K – $15K/year
$50K – $150K total
100–250 employees
$8K – $20K/year
$100K – $300K total
250+ employees
$10K – $20K/year
$200K – $500K+ total
These ranges cover gap assessment, remediation, implementation, and C3PAO assessment. Ongoing maintenance adds $15K–$50K/year.
Meridian's navigation service is free to you.
We're compensated by the assessment partners we connect you with — not by you.
Cost breakdown
What's Included in These Costs
Five components make up the total CMMC investment. Remediation is always the largest — and the most controllable with the right scoping strategy.
Gap Assessment
$5,000 – $15,000
Identifies which NIST SP 800-171 requirements (the 110 security controls behind CMMC Level 2) you meet, which you're missing, and how large the remediation effort will be. The essential first step.
Remediation & Implementation
$20,000 – $150,000
Closing the gaps — this is the biggest variable. Costs depend on how many controls need implementation and the complexity of your environment. Scope reduction here saves the most.
Technology Upgrades
$10,000 – $80,000
Microsoft 365 GCC High (the government-compliant version of Microsoft 365) migration, endpoint protection, SIEM (Security Information and Event Management — centralized security monitoring) deployment, and multi-factor authentication rollout. Legacy environments and Microsoft 365 migrations drive this up significantly.
C3PAO Assessment
$30,000 – $75,000
The formal certification audit conducted by an authorized C3PAO. This is the non-negotiable step for Level 2. Slots are booking 6–12 months out — schedule early.
Annual Maintenance
$15,000 – $50,000/year
Keeping your certification valid: ongoing monitoring, policy reviews, annual assessments, and maintaining evidence of continuous compliance across all 110 controls.
Cost reduction tip
Enclave Strategy
Isolating CUI to a defined subset of systems — an "enclave" — can significantly reduce your assessment scope — often by half or more, depending on your CUI footprint. Fewer systems in scope means lower remediation, lower C3PAO fees, and a faster path to certification.
How we scope your enclaveCost factors
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
Costs less when…
- —
Smaller CUI scope
Fewer systems touching CUI means a smaller, faster, cheaper assessment.
- —
Existing security program
MFA, endpoint protection, and documented policies already in place.
- —
Enclave strategy
Isolating CUI to specific systems can significantly reduce your scope — and cost.
- —
Cooperative prime contractor
Some primes share resources, tools, or costs with their subs.
Costs more when…
- —
Broad CUI scope
CUI spread across many systems, users, and locations multiplies the assessment surface.
- —
Legacy systems
Old infrastructure that can't support modern security controls requires replacement or isolation.
- —
Multiple facilities
Each location may need separate scoping, controls, and assessment coverage.
- —
No existing security program
Starting from scratch on all 110 controls takes significantly more time and money.
Risk calculus
What Happens If You Wait
Phase 2 enforcement is November 2026. Here's what non-compliance actually means — not hypothetically, but in contracts already being affected.
Contract Loss
Full mandate
The DoD has mandated CMMC across its entire supply chain by 2028. Contracts requiring CMMC will not renew for non-compliant contractors — regardless of performance history.
False Claims Act Penalties
$4.6M example
MORSECORP paid $4.6M for self-attesting compliance without meeting requirements. Each false claim can trigger $13,000+ in civil penalties, plus treble damages under the FCA. A formal assessment is protection.
Lost Subcontracting Revenue
Already happening
Prime contractors are already flowing CMMC requirements to their subs — ahead of the formal mandate. Non-certified subs are being removed from supply chains now, not in 2028.
Insurance Impact
Higher premiums or denial
Cyber insurers are tightening requirements for defense contractors. Non-compliance with CMMC standards increasingly results in higher premiums, reduced coverage limits, or outright policy denial.
Our approach
Your Total Cost Is Controllable. Here's How We Help.
Most contractors overpay for CMMC because they start with the wrong scope, engage the wrong partner, or skip the scoping step entirely. The right scoping strategy — before you hire anyone — is where the savings are. We help you find it.
We're independent — we don't sell compliance software, run assessments, or manage remediation. Our only incentive is matching you with the right-fit partner, at the right price, for your specific situation.
Get your specific estimate — freeFree initial assessment
We don't charge for scoping. You walk away from our first call knowing your CMMC level, scope, and cost range — at no cost.
Independent — not vendor-aligned
We find you the right-fit partner, not the most expensive one. We're compensated by our partner network, never by inflating your scope.
Enclave strategy guidance
Scoping your CUI to the smallest defensible boundary can significantly reduce your total costs. We help you find that boundary before engaging a C3PAO.
No hourly billing or retainer
Our fee comes from the certified partner we match you with — not from you. There's no invoice from Meridian.
Free estimate
Get Your Specific Cost Estimate
15 minutes. We'll review your contracts, confirm your CMMC level, and give you a specific estimate based on your actual situation. Free, no obligation.
No sales pitch. No retainer. Just a straight answer about your specific situation.