Understanding DFARS Clause 252.204-7012TheDefense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.204-7012is a mandatory cybersecurity clause required inall DoD contracts and solicitationsthat involveControlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Key Requirements of DFARS 252.204-7012✅Implements NIST SP 800-171security controls for contractors handlingCUI.
✅Requirescyber incident reportingto theDoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3)within72 hours.
✅Mandatesadequate security measuresto protectDoD information systems.
✅Applies toall DoD contracts, except for those exclusively acquiring COTS items.
Option A (Correct):DFARS 252.204-7012must be included in all DoD contracts and solicitationswhen CUI is involved.
Option B (Incorrect):FAR Part 12 procedures apply tocommercial item acquisitions, but DFARS 7012 appliesregardless of procurement procedures.
Option C (Incorrect):Contractssolely for COTS (Commercial Off-the-Shelf) productsare exemptfrom DFARS 7012.
Option D (Incorrect):COTS itemssold without modificationsarenot requiredto include DFARS 7012.
DFARS Clause 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting)
NIST SP 800-171– The required cybersecurity standard for contractors under DFARS 7012.
Why "All DoD Solicitations and Contracts" is Correct?Official References from DoD and DFARS DocumentationFinal Verification and ConclusionQUESTION NO: 128
A C3PAO Assessment Plan document captures the names of the interviewees, the facilities that will utilized, along with estimated costs and schedule of the assessment. What part of the assessment plan is this?
A. Identify resources and schedule.
B. Select Assessment Team members.
C. Identify and manage assessment risks.
D. Select and develop the evidence collection approach.
Answer: A
ACertified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO)is responsible for conductingCMMC Level 2 Assessments. Before the assessment begins, the C3PAO must develop anAssessment Plan, which includes several key elements.
The part of the plan that captures:
✅Names of interviewees
✅Facilities to be utilized
✅Estimated costs
✅Assessment schedule
falls under the"Identify Resources and Schedule"section of the plan.
Step-by-Step Breakdown:✅1. Identify Resources and Schedule
This section of theCMMC Assessment Planoutlines:
Thepersonnelinvolved (e.g., interviewees, assessors).
Thelocationswhere the assessment will take place.
Thetimeline and scheduling details.
Theestimated costsassociated with the assessment.
This ensures that all necessaryresourcesare allocated and that the assessment proceeds as planned.
✅2. Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:
(B) Select Assessment Team Members❌
This section focuses onchoosing the assessorswho will conduct the evaluation, not listing interviewees and facilities.
(C) Identify and Manage Assessment Risks❌
This part of the plandocuments risks(e.g., scheduling conflicts, data access issues), but it doesnot outline names, facilities, or costs.
(D) Select and Develop the Evidence Collection Approach❌
This step defineshowevidence will be gathered (e.g., document reviews, interviews, system testing) but doesnot focus on logistics.
Final Validation from CMMC Documentation:TheCMMC Assessment Process Guidestates thatresource identification and schedulingare essential for organizing the assessment. Since this sectioncaptures interviewees, facilities, costs, and the schedule, the correct answer is:
✅A. Identify resources and schedule.
