Cybersecurity and Covered Defense Information Safeguarding

This contract requires the implementation and ongoing maintenance of NIST SP 800-171 security controls to safeguard covered defense information on all systems that handle contract-related data. The effort is focused on ensuring compliance with federal cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or compromise. The subcontractor must establish, document, and continuously monitor the effectiveness of these controls across all relevant environments, with particular attention to data handling, access management, audit logging, and system hardening as prescribed by the NIST framework. The procurement is structured as a total small business set-aside under the SBA program, meaning only small businesses are eligible to bid, and it is classified under NAICS code 541512 for computer systems design services. The solicitation was posted on July 21, 2026, with a response deadline of August 5, 2026, and is managed by the Department of Defense’s Strategic Acquisition Program Directorate. Performance of the work is expected to occur wherever the contractor’s systems process or store covered defense information, with no specific geographic limitations indicated. The contract emphasizes a sustained compliance posture, not just initial implementation, requiring regular assessments and adjustments to maintain alignment with evolving threats and regulatory requirements.