Department of War Suspends CMMC Phase II Requirements, but Cybersecurity Obligations Remain - Morgan Lewis
The Department of War has suspended CMMC Phase II requirements, but existing cybersecurity obligations under DFARS and NIST SP 800-171 remain in effect. Contractors must continue to comply with current cybersecurity clauses.
Aforeworn detected this change in the Government Contracting (SAM/FAR) space on July 16, 2026 and published this briefing so affected operators are forewarned rather than caught off guard. It is rated Medium urgency. Defense contractors, small businesses with set-asides, GSA schedule holders, federal grant recipients should confirm how it applies to their specific situation before acting. There is a time constraint attached: Ongoing; no new deadline from this change.. Acting after that point can mean penalties, a lapsed licence, or lost eligibility — exactly the kind of surprise Aforeworn exists to prevent. Aforeworn monitors Government Contracting (SAM/FAR) continuously and turns every detected change into a plain-English briefing like this one, so you always know first. Forewarned is forearmed.
What changed
CMMC Phase II requirements are suspended, but all other cybersecurity obligations (e.g., DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800-171) remain unchanged.
Who it affects
Defense contractors, small businesses with set-asides, GSA schedule holders, federal grant recipients
What you must do
Continue to maintain compliance with existing cybersecurity requirements; do not relax security measures. Monitor for future updates on CMMC.
Deadline
Ongoing; no new deadline from this change.
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