Cybersecurity and Covered Defense Information (CDI) Safeguarding

This contract requires the implementation and ongoing maintenance of NIST SP 800-171 safeguards to protect covered defense information on contractor and subcontractor systems, ensuring compliance with federal cybersecurity standards for sensitive DoD data. The obligation extends across the entire supply chain, mandating that all parties handling covered defense information adhere strictly to the control families outlined in the NIST publication, including access control, audit, configuration management, and incident response. The work is scoped to support the U.S. Special Operations Command under the Department of Defense, with performance centered in Tampa, Florida, and is classified as a total small business set-aside, restricting eligibility exclusively to small businesses as defined by the SBA. The solicitation is open for responses until May 18, 2026, and is issued under NAICS code 541512, which pertains to computer systems design services, indicating a focus on technical implementation rather than hardware procurement. The contract’s nature as a subcontract suggests it will be awarded to a firm that will support a prime contractor in fulfilling broader DoD cybersecurity obligations. Compliance is non-negotiable and will likely involve regular assessments, documentation of control implementation, and ongoing monitoring to maintain continuous adherence to the NIST framework throughout the contract lifecycle. Performance must be maintained in alignment with federal requirements without deviation, and failure to meet these standards could result in termination or loss of eligibility for future work.