Meet DFARS Compliance Requirements — at Up to 80% Less Cost
An AI-powered, all-inclusive path to DFARS cybersecurity compliance, built for defense contractors with 1 to 1,000 employees. Plans start at $1,000/month. Because meeting DFARS 252.204-7012 and CMMC requirements shouldn't require a $300K budget or an army of consultants.
No commitment. 30-minute call. Immediate clarity on your path forward.
What Are the DFARS Cybersecurity Requirements?
The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) is what actually puts cybersecurity obligations into your DoD contract. In brief:
DFARS 252.204-7012
Requires you to safeguard Covered Defense Information (CDI) by implementing NIST SP 800-171, and to report cyber incidents to DoD within 72 hours of discovery.
DFARS 252.204-7019 / 7020
Requires a current NIST SP 800-171 self-assessment score on file in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS), and requires you to allow DoD to conduct its own assessment if requested.
DFARS 252.204-7021
Where applicable to a contract, requires you to hold and maintain a specific CMMC level and make annual affirmations of your status.
CMMC is DoD's mechanism for verifying that you've actually implemented what DFARS 252.204-7012 already requires. That's true whether or not a given contract currently calls for a third-party CMMC assessment. Even with CMMC Phase 2 currently suspended, the underlying DFARS safeguarding obligations remain in effect. Espresso Labs is an AI-powered platform that automates much of the heavy lifting behind NIST 800-171 and DFARS compliance, including policy documentation, control enforcement, and evidence collection, so you spend less time on manual work and more time running your business.
Still Not DFARS Compliant?
The Requirements Didn't Pause.
DoD's suspension of CMMC Phase 2 has left many contractors thinking they can put compliance off. That's a costly mistake. The suspension pauses the rollout of mandatory third-party CMMC assessments. It does not waive or change the underlying NIST 800-171 safeguarding requirements you're already obligated to meet under DFARS 252.204-7012.
You're still required to have a current System Security Plan and an accurate SPRS score on file under DFARS 252.204-7019/7020. Misrepresenting your compliance status, even unintentionally, is a False Claims Act liability that carries real financial and legal exposure, suspension or no suspension.
Use this window while it's open. Contractors who get DFARS compliant now will be certified and ready the moment third-party CMMC enforcement resumes. Everyone else will be scrambling against the same deadline, again.
What's included
One subscription. Everything you need to meet DFARS cybersecurity requirements, nothing extra to buy. No expensive compliance consultant, no juggling a multitude of disconnected tools, no manual labor.
Built-in Policy Templates
SSP and policy documentation mapped to DFARS 252.204-7012 and your required CMMC level, written and ready to review on day one.
All-in-One Platform
You don't need to separately buy, install, or monitor MDM, anti-malware, EDR, backup, cloud security, SIEM, security awareness training, vulnerability scanning, MFA, and more. It's all built in.
Automated Security & IT Operations
AI playbooks enforce controls automatically, including MFA, patching, and access reviews, so your team isn't buried in manual tasks. Includes 24/7 monitoring for IT and cybersecurity incidents, plus incident response led by AI with human expert backup.
Continuous Compliance Monitoring
24/7 monitoring against your DFARS and CMMC baseline with real-time SPRS score tracking. Always audit-ready, never scrambling.
Automated Evidence Collection
Evidence is captured and organized automatically. Your C3PAO assessor gets a clean package. No last-minute scrambles.
DFARS & CMMC Certification Support
Self-assessment and SPRS affirmation for DFARS 252.204-7019/7020. If your contract requires CMMC Level 2, we connect you with a vetted C3PAO partner and prepare you completely.
The All-Inclusive DFARS & CMMC Compliance Program
One flat subscription. No hidden consulting fees. No surprise add-ons.
Meeting DFARS 252.204-7012 through traditional CMMC consulting typically runs well into six figures, but not with our AI-powered compliance platform.
Starting at
$1,000/mo
Year 1 Subscription (All Inclusive)
4 Months
Timeline to Audit Closeout
Predictable Economics
No surprises. Budget with confidence.
All-inclusive program
Everything you need. Nothing extra to add.
Automated, consolidated tech stack
Fewer tools. Less friction.
Built for DIBs with fewer than 50 employees
Right-sized solutions. Built for how you work.
No commitment · 30 minutes · Free
How We Compare
Traditional approaches require an expensive DFARS/CMMC consultant, costly technology stacks, and dedicated compliance staff, plus disruptive changes to how employees work. Espresso Labs uses AI and automation to cut DFARS and CMMC compliance costs and effort by up to 80%.
| Legacy Solutions | Espresso Labs | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $300K+ High infrastructure, integration, and operational costs | From $1,000/month All-inclusive program with predictable pricing |
| Employee Workflow Changes | Significant New email, storage, VPN, separate environment | Minimal to None No change to how your team works today |
| Deployment Timeline | 9–18 Months Complex setup and integration | ~4 Months Proven process, faster time to compliance |
| Documentation | Consultants Required Manual policy writing and ongoing legal/consulting fees | Built-In Templates Policies, SSP, controls |
| Technology Stack | Multiple Vendors Siloed tools, integration effort, ongoing maintenance | Unified, Managed Platform Espresso Labs working together out of the box |
| Compliance Operations | Mostly Manual Manual tracking, updates, and follow-ups | Automated & Continuous Automated monitoring, evidence collection, and alerts |
| Audit Readiness | Point-in-Time Prepare for audits on demand | Continuous Always audit-ready with real-time evidence and reporting |
What Our Clients Say
"CMMC and DFARS used to feel like a maze of controls, policies, and audits. Espresso Labs turned it into a managed process. We didn't just check boxes — we built real compliance. Now when a prime asks about our posture, we're confident."
I.G.
Reston, VA
"We were about to hire two more IT and security people just to keep up. Instead, we brought in Espresso Labs. They extended our team, automated the noise, and gave leadership visibility without adding payroll."
M.K.
Sunnyvale, CA
"We're eight people. We don't need an IT department — we need IT to just work. Espresso Labs feels like we hired a full team without hiring anyone. Issues get handled before they become problems, and we don't waste time managing software subscriptions."
A.R.
Salt Lake City, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't Lose Your Contracts.
Get DFARS Compliant Now.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll scope your program, estimate your timeline, and show you exactly what it takes to meet DFARS and CMMC requirements.
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