DFARS Compliance for Defense Contractors
Venatus helps DoD contractors implement NIST SP 800-171, submit accurate SPRS scores, and meet DFARS 252.204-7012 obligations, without exposing your business to False Claims Act liability.
Self-Attestation Carries Real Legal Risk
110
72 Hrs
Deadline to report a cyber incident involving covered defense information
$4.6M
A real settlement one contractor paid after submitting a false SPRS score
15
Cybersecurity False Claims Act cases DOJ has settled under its active enforcement initiative
What an Inaccurate SPRS Score Actually Costs You
A single false attestation doesn’t just risk a contract, it exposes your business to federal liability that can follow you long after the paperwork is signed.
Contract Ineligibility
Can't be awarded or renewed without a current score
False Claims Act Exposure
Legal liability for certifying compliance you don't have, DOJ has pursued this
Flow-Down Failures
Primes are now auditing subs' SPRS scores directly
DFARS Compliance Framework
System Boundary & CUI Scoping
Identify exactly where CUI lives in your environment
Remediation & SSP/POA&M
Close gaps and document only what’s actually implemented
NIST 800-171 Gap Assessment
Calculate your real score, not the one you’d hope to submit
SPRS Score Submission
Submit a score that holds up under a DIBCAC review
Your Self-Assessment
- You calculate and submit your own SPRS score
- No third party reviews it before submission
- Based on your own read of 110 controls across 14 domains
What Actually Gets Verified
- Primes increasingly audit subcontractor scores directly before awarding work
- DCMA and DIBCAC conduct independent reviews that can contradict your submitted score
- A mismatch between submitted and actual scores is what triggers False Claims Act exposure, not just a low score itself
Not Sure If Your Score Would Hold Up?
Get an independent gap assessment before someone else discovers it for you.
Compliance That Matches What You Sign
We don’t help you write a score, we help you earn one. Every control we mark as implemented in your SSP is one we’ve actually verified in your environment, your networks, your endpoints, your vendor relationships, so what you submit to SPRS is the same thing a DIBCAC review or prime audit would find.
When your environment changes, a new system comes online, or a control drifts out of compliance, we’re already tracking it. No scrambling to explain a gap after someone else finds it first, we keep your documentation current so your attestation stays accurate, not just convenient.
A Score You Can Actually Defend.
Verified before submission • Documented as it’s implemented • Consistent under independent review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on SPRS scores, self-attestation requirements, and how Venatus keeps your documentation defensible under review.
What is DFARS 252.204-7012?
The cybersecurity clause requiring DoD contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) to implement NIST SP 800-171 and report cyber incidents within 72 hours. It’s been contractually required since 2017, and its obligations flow down to any subcontractor who touches that same information.
Do I still need this if I'm already pursuing CMMC certification?
Yes, they’re not interchangeable. DFARS 252.204-7012 is the standing contractual obligation to implement NIST 800-171 and self-report your score. CMMC is a separate, newer verification layer that confirms you actually did it. You can be behind on DFARS while still working toward CMMC, and being current on one doesn’t automatically satisfy the other.
Does my SPRS score need to be a perfect 110?
No, and assuming it does is one of the most common mistakes we see. A negative score is common and often acceptable, what matters is that it’s accurate and backed by a credible POA&M for anything unmet. A false 110 is far riskier than an honest negative score.
How often do I need to resubmit my SPRS score?
Scores are generally valid for three years, but need to be resubmitted sooner if your environment changes significantly, a new system, a new CUI-handling process, or a change to your IT environment that affects any of the 110 controls.
My company only handles Federal Contract Information (FCI), not CUI, does DFARS still apply to me?
The full 110-control requirement applies specifically to CUI. If you only handle FCI, you fall under a lighter set of basic safeguarding requirements instead. It’s worth confirming which category your actual work falls into, since misjudging this is a common and costly mistake.
What's actually at risk if my score is wrong, beyond losing the contract?
Submitting an inaccurate score isn’t just a compliance gap, it’s a certification the government relies on for payment. DOJ has pursued False Claims Act cases against contractors who certified compliance they didn’t have, meaning the risk extends to legal liability, not just contract eligibility.
How does Venatus help with DFARS compliance?
We verify every control before it’s marked implemented, build documentation that reflects your actual environment, and help you submit and maintain a score that holds up if a prime or DCMA ever looks closer.
Your Score Should Match the Truth
Venatus helps DoD contractors implement NIST SP 800-171, document what’s actually in place, and submit an SPRS score that holds up under independent review.
THE VENATUS METHOD
- Step 1: Scope — We map where CUI lives in your environment.
- Step 2: Verify — We assess your real posture and close the gaps that matter.
- Step 3: Submit — We help you file a score that's accurate and defensible.
Secure Your Consultation
Get a clear picture of where your score actually stands. Your information stays encrypted and confidential.