CMMC work touches your contract, your systems and the score you post in SPRS. Who you bring in to help matters. Here is a short checklist for picking a partner.

1. They start with your contract

Your contract sets the rules. The clauses and flow-downs in it tell you which CMMC level applies and whether you handle FCI or CUI. A good partner asks for the contract first, before talking about tools.

2. They scope before they harden

CUI comes through the contract. A good partner traces where it enters, where it is stored and processed, and where it leaves. That boundary decides which systems, people and services are in scope.

3. They hand you real deliverables

Look for concrete outputs you keep:

Gap findings, control by control- A prioritized plan: what comes first and what can wait- Your System Security Plan (SSP) and POA&M- An evidence list for each control you claim- Preparation for your self-assessment and SPRS entry## 4. They can show their credentials Ask for certifications you can verify.…