IT Services for Federal Contractors

Managed IT Services Built for Federal Contractors Who Cannot Afford a Compliance Failure

Federal contractors operate under the most demanding IT compliance requirements in American business. CMMC, NIST 800-171, DFARS 252.204-7012, ITAR, FedRAMP -- a single gap in any of these frameworks can cost you your contract, your revenue, and your reputation. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. delivers managed IT services, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity solutions specifically engineered for the federal contracting environment, from CUI protection to GCC High migration to complete CMMC assessment preparation.

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BBB A+ rated since 2003 | Founded 2002 | CMMC & NIST 800-171 Specialists | Zero client breaches

CMMC Assessment-Ready

We prepare federal contractors to pass CMMC Level 2 and Level 3 assessments conducted by C3PAOs. From gap analysis through remediation, POA&M development, and SSP documentation, our CMMC practice ensures you meet every control before the assessor arrives. No surprises, no failures, no lost contracts.

GCC/GCC High Cloud

Microsoft GCC and GCC High migration and management for organizations handling CUI and ITAR data. We architect, migrate, and manage Microsoft 365 GCC High, Azure Government, and hybrid environments that meet DFARS, ITAR, and FedRAMP Moderate requirements.

CUI Protection

Controlled Unclassified Information requires specific handling, storage, transmission, and destruction controls defined by NIST 800-171. We implement CUI boundary definition, data flow mapping, encryption, access controls, and monitoring that satisfy all 110 NIST 800-171 security requirements.

DFARS Compliant

DFARS 252.204-7012 requires defense contractors to implement NIST 800-171, report cyber incidents within 72 hours, and provide DoD access to forensic evidence. Our managed IT services include continuous compliance monitoring, incident response planning, and forensic readiness that satisfy every DFARS clause.

Why Federal Contractors Need Specialized IT Services That Commercial MSPs Cannot Provide

The IT requirements for federal contractors bear almost no resemblance to standard commercial IT. A typical managed service provider can deliver help desk support, patch management, and basic cybersecurity monitoring -- and these capabilities are table stakes for any business. But federal contractors must operate within a regulatory framework where a single mishandled CUI document, an improperly configured cloud tenant, or an unpatched vulnerability in a system processing federal data can trigger contract termination, False Claims Act liability, and permanent debarment from government contracting. The consequences are existential, not merely inconvenient. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. built our federal contractor IT practice specifically to address these elevated requirements, delivering managed IT services that satisfy CMMC, NIST 800-171, DFARS, ITAR, and FedRAMP requirements while keeping your team focused on winning and executing government contracts rather than managing security controls.

CMMC -- the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification -- has transformed the defense contracting landscape by replacing self-attestation with third-party assessment. Under the previous regime, contractors could claim NIST 800-171 compliance in their Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score with minimal verification. CMMC Level 2 now requires assessment by an accredited C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization) that verifies implementation of all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. Level 3 adds government-led assessment against NIST 800-172 enhanced security requirements for contractors handling the most sensitive CUI. Failing a CMMC assessment means you cannot bid on or perform contracts requiring certification -- effectively locking you out of defense work. Our CMMC compliance practice prepares contractors for assessment success through comprehensive gap analysis, remediation planning, System Security Plan development, POA&M management, and pre-assessment readiness reviews that identify and resolve issues before the C3PAO arrives.

NIST 800-171 compliance forms the foundation of nearly every federal contractor security obligation. The framework's 110 security requirements across 14 control families -- Access Control, Awareness and Training, Audit and Accountability, Configuration Management, Identification and Authentication, Incident Response, Maintenance, Media Protection, Personnel Security, Physical Protection, Risk Assessment, Security Assessment, System and Communications Protection, and System and Information Integrity -- must be fully implemented for any system processing, storing, or transmitting CUI. Each requirement has specific implementation expectations documented in NIST 800-171A assessment objectives. A control is either implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented -- there is no grading curve. Our NIST 800-171 compliance services address every control family with documented implementation evidence including policies, configurations, procedures, and technical artifacts that demonstrate compliance to assessors, prime contractors, and government oversight.

CUI protection demands a fundamentally different approach to data management than most organizations employ. Controlled Unclassified Information encompasses dozens of categories including Critical Infrastructure, Defense, Export Control, Financial, Immigration, Intelligence, International Agreements, Law Enforcement, Legal, Natural and Cultural Resources, NATO, Nuclear, Patent, Privacy, Procurement and Acquisition, Proprietary Business Information, Statistical, and Tax information. Each CUI category may have specific handling requirements beyond the baseline NIST 800-171 controls. Effective CUI protection begins with boundary definition -- identifying exactly which systems, networks, applications, and data stores contain or process CUI. Then data flow mapping traces how CUI moves through your environment, identifying every point where it is created, received, transmitted, stored, processed, and destroyed. This mapping reveals the actual scope of your CUI environment, which directly determines the scope of your CMMC assessment. Many contractors discover their CUI environment is far larger than assumed because they never systematically traced data flows. We help contractors define and minimize their CUI boundary through network segmentation, data enclave architectures, and information flow controls that reduce both compliance scope and security risk.

Federal cloud migration presents unique challenges that commercial cloud providers and generic MSPs are not equipped to address. Standard Microsoft 365 and Azure commercial tenants do not meet the data residency, personnel screening, and security control requirements for CUI processing. Microsoft 365 GCC (Government Community Cloud) provides a dedicated environment with U.S.-based data centers and background-screened Microsoft personnel, suitable for non-CUI government work. Microsoft 365 GCC High meets the more stringent requirements for CUI, ITAR data, and DFARS compliance -- with enhanced isolation, sovereign data controls, and FedRAMP High authorization. Azure Government provides IaaS and PaaS services in dedicated government data centers with appropriate certifications. Migrating from commercial to GCC High is not a simple tenant-to-tenant migration; it requires re-provisioning identities, reconfiguring security policies, migrating data with appropriate encryption, re-establishing integrations, and validating that every service operates within the compliant boundary. We have completed dozens of GCC High migrations for defense contractors across the Triangle and nationwide, managing the technical complexity while minimizing operational disruption to your team.

IT Services for Federal Contractors

CMMC Assessment Preparation & Compliance

Comprehensive CMMC Level 2 and Level 3 preparation including initial gap assessment against all 110 NIST 800-171 controls, remediation roadmap with prioritized action items, System Security Plan (SSP) development documenting your security architecture and control implementations, Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) management for controls requiring remediation, policy and procedure development aligned to assessment objectives, technical implementation of security controls including MFA, encryption, logging, and access management, evidence collection and organization for assessor review, and pre-assessment readiness reviews simulating the C3PAO assessment experience. Our CMMC specialists have deep familiarity with C3PAO assessment methodology and know exactly what assessors look for, ensuring your documentation and implementations meet expectations.

NIST 800-171 Implementation & Monitoring

Full implementation of all 110 NIST 800-171 security requirements across 14 control families. We deploy and configure the technical controls -- multifactor authentication, FIPS-validated encryption, SIEM with audit log collection and correlation, endpoint detection and response, vulnerability management, network segmentation, and access control policies -- while developing the administrative controls including security policies, incident response procedures, training programs, and risk assessment methodologies. Continuous monitoring ensures controls remain effective after implementation, with automated compliance dashboards tracking your SPRS score in real time. When NIST publishes updates or DoD issues new guidance, we proactively assess impact and implement changes to maintain continuous compliance rather than periodic scrambles before assessments.

Microsoft 365 GCC High & Azure Government

Migration and ongoing management of Microsoft 365 GCC High and Azure Government environments for federal contractors processing CUI and ITAR-controlled data. Our migration methodology includes pre-migration assessment validating GCC High suitability, identity architecture design with Azure AD/Entra ID government tenant configuration, mailbox and data migration with zero-downtime cutover, security policy configuration including Conditional Access, DLP, sensitivity labels, and retention policies, Teams and SharePoint migration preserving permissions and metadata, Intune device management for compliant endpoint configurations, and post-migration validation ensuring all services operate within the compliant boundary. Ongoing management includes tenant administration, security policy maintenance, license management, user provisioning and deprovisioning, and incident response within the GCC High environment.

CUI Enclave Architecture & Data Protection

Purpose-built CUI enclave environments that isolate federal data from your commercial IT infrastructure, minimizing CMMC assessment scope while maximizing security. Our enclave architectures include network segmentation with dedicated VLANs, firewalls, and access controls separating CUI systems from general business networks. Dedicated workstations or virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) for CUI access prevent data leakage to non-compliant endpoints. FIPS 140-2 validated encryption protects data at rest and in transit. Data Loss Prevention policies detect and block unauthorized CUI transmission. Sensitivity labeling and classification ensure CUI is identified and handled appropriately throughout its lifecycle. For ITAR contractors, additional controls prevent access by non-U.S. persons. Enclave architecture reduces your assessment boundary from your entire enterprise to only the systems within the enclave, dramatically simplifying compliance while strengthening actual security.

Managed Security Operations & Incident Response

24/7 security operations center monitoring with capabilities specifically aligned to federal contractor requirements. SIEM deployment collects and correlates logs from every system in your CUI environment, satisfying NIST 800-171 Audit and Accountability requirements. Endpoint detection and response identifies and contains threats on workstations and servers. Vulnerability management provides continuous scanning and prioritized remediation. Threat intelligence feeds incorporate indicators relevant to defense industrial base targeting. Incident response procedures satisfy DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for reporting cyber incidents to the DoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3) within 72 hours, including forensic image preservation and malicious software submission. Our incident response team includes a Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner capable of conducting investigations that preserve evidentiary integrity for government review.

ITAR Compliance & Export Control IT

IT infrastructure and security controls designed for organizations handling International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) technical data. ITAR requires that defense articles, technical data, and services are accessible only by U.S. persons, with stringent controls preventing deemed exports to foreign nationals. Our ITAR IT solutions include access controls enforcing U.S. person verification before granting system access, GCC High cloud environments meeting ITAR data sovereignty requirements, network segmentation isolating ITAR-controlled systems, encryption meeting FIPS 140-2 standards for all technical data, physical security controls for facilities housing ITAR systems, and visitor management procedures for areas where ITAR data is accessible. We coordinate with your ITAR compliance officer to ensure technology controls align with your Technology Control Plan and support DDTC reporting requirements.

Supply Chain Security & SCRM

Supply chain risk management for federal contractors required to verify that their technology vendors, subcontractors, and partners meet equivalent security standards. CMMC flow-down requirements mandate that subcontractors processing CUI achieve the same certification level as the prime contractor. We help you assess subcontractor compliance, implement supply chain risk management programs, and verify that your entire supply chain meets DFARS and CMMC requirements. Technical controls include vendor risk assessment frameworks, third-party security questionnaires validated by evidence review, prohibited vendor screening against NDAA Section 889 requirements, and continuous monitoring of vendor security posture. For primes managing large subcontractor networks, we provide tools and processes to track compliance status across your supply chain and identify gaps before they become assessment findings.

Our Federal Contractor IT Engagement Process

Compliance Gap Assessment & CUI Scoping

We assess your current security posture against NIST 800-171 controls, identify your CUI boundary through data flow mapping, calculate your SPRS score based on actual control implementation, and document gaps requiring remediation. This assessment provides a clear picture of where you stand today and exactly what must change to achieve CMMC certification. We deliver a prioritized remediation roadmap with effort estimates, cost projections, and timeline expectations.

Architecture Design & Remediation Planning

Based on gap assessment findings, we design your compliant IT architecture including CUI enclave boundaries, cloud environment selection (GCC vs. GCC High), network segmentation strategy, endpoint management approach, and security monitoring infrastructure. The architecture minimizes your CMMC assessment scope while meeting all technical requirements. System Security Plans and security policies are developed in parallel with technical design to ensure documentation and implementation align.

Technical Implementation & Migration

We implement security controls, migrate to compliant cloud environments, deploy monitoring infrastructure, configure endpoint protection, and establish incident response capabilities. Implementation follows a phased approach that maintains business operations while transitioning to the compliant environment. Each phase includes testing, validation, and documentation updates. Cloud migrations are planned for minimal downtime with rollback procedures for every step. Training ensures your team can operate effectively within the new compliant environment.

Assessment Preparation & Ongoing Compliance

Pre-assessment readiness reviews simulate the C3PAO experience, validating that every control is implemented, documented, and evidenced. We prepare your team for assessor interviews and artifact requests. Post-certification, continuous monitoring maintains compliance between assessments. Managed IT services handle day-to-day operations, security monitoring, incident response, and compliance reporting. When regulations change or new requirements emerge, we proactively assess impact and implement updates to maintain your certification status.

Why Federal Contractors Choose Petronella Technology Group, Inc.

Federal Compliance Specialists

We focus on federal contractor compliance -- CMMC, NIST 800-171, DFARS, ITAR, and FedRAMP -- not general-purpose IT support. Our team understands assessment methodology, C3PAO expectations, and the specific technical implementations that satisfy control requirements. Generic MSPs learn compliance on your dime; we bring expertise from day one.

GCC High Migration Experience

Dozens of successful Microsoft 365 GCC High migrations for defense contractors across North Carolina and nationwide. We have solved the tenant migration challenges, identity architecture decisions, and service configuration requirements that trip up providers attempting their first government cloud deployment. Your migration benefits from lessons learned across our entire client base.

Licensed Digital Forensics

DFARS 252.204-7012 requires cyber incident reporting to DC3 within 72 hours including forensic images. Our Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner conducts investigations that preserve evidentiary integrity for government review. When a cyber incident occurs, you need forensic capabilities immediately -- not scrambling to find a qualified examiner while the 72-hour clock ticks.

Zero Client Breaches

No client following our security program has experienced a data breach. Our 39+ layered security controls defend against the advanced persistent threats, nation-state actors, and sophisticated criminal organizations that specifically target defense contractors for intellectual property, CUI, and technical data. Security is our core competency, not an add-on to IT support.

Complete IT + Compliance

Most federal contractors need both day-to-day IT support and compliance expertise. We deliver both under one roof -- help desk, endpoint management, network administration, cloud management, backup and disaster recovery, plus CMMC preparation, NIST 800-171 implementation, and ongoing compliance monitoring. One provider, one relationship, complete accountability for both operations and compliance.

Raleigh-Durham Triangle Presence

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC since 2002, serving the Research Triangle's concentration of defense contractors, defense technology companies, and government agencies. On-site support when you need it, with engineers who hold appropriate clearance levels for sensitive environments. BBB A+ accredited since 2003 with deep roots in the Triangle business community.

Federal Contractor IT Services FAQ

What is CMMC and do we need it?

CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the DoD's framework requiring defense contractors to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity through third-party assessment. If your contracts include DFARS clause 252.204-7021 or you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you need CMMC certification. Level 1 covers basic safeguarding of Federal Contract Information (FCI) through self-assessment. Level 2 requires C3PAO assessment against all 110 NIST 800-171 controls for organizations handling CUI. Level 3 adds government-led assessment against NIST 800-172 enhanced controls. The DoD is phasing CMMC requirements into contracts starting in 2025, and contractors without certification will be ineligible for covered awards. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. prepares contractors for Level 2 and Level 3 assessment success.

What is the difference between GCC and GCC High?

Microsoft 365 GCC is a government community cloud environment with U.S.-based data centers and background-screened personnel, suitable for government agencies and contractors handling FCI but not CUI. Microsoft 365 GCC High provides enhanced isolation meeting FedRAMP High, DFARS, and ITAR requirements -- necessary for contractors processing CUI or ITAR-controlled technical data. Key differences include data sovereignty (GCC High data never leaves U.S. sovereign control), personnel screening (all support personnel are screened U.S. persons), network isolation (GCC High operates on a separate network from commercial and GCC environments), and compliance certifications (GCC High holds FedRAMP High authorization). If your contracts require NIST 800-171 compliance or involve ITAR data, you almost certainly need GCC High. We assess your specific requirements and recommend the appropriate environment.

How long does CMMC preparation take?

Timeline depends on your current security posture and the scope of remediation required. Organizations with strong existing security programs and limited gaps may reach assessment readiness in 3-6 months. Organizations requiring significant infrastructure changes -- cloud migration, enclave architecture, new security tools, policy development -- typically need 6-12 months. Complex environments with multiple locations, large user populations, or extensive CUI scope may require 12-18 months. The critical path is usually cloud migration (GCC High) and security tool deployment, while documentation and policy development proceed in parallel. We provide detailed project plans with milestones during the initial assessment phase so you can plan resources and timelines accurately. Do not wait until a contract requires CMMC -- start preparation now to avoid losing bid eligibility.

What is a CUI enclave and do we need one?

A CUI enclave is a segmented network environment specifically designed to process, store, and transmit Controlled Unclassified Information, isolated from your general business IT infrastructure. Enclaves are beneficial because they minimize your CMMC assessment scope -- only systems within the enclave boundary require full NIST 800-171 control implementation. Without an enclave, every system in your organization that could potentially access CUI falls within assessment scope, dramatically increasing compliance cost and complexity. A well-designed enclave includes dedicated network segments with firewall-controlled access, compliant cloud environments (GCC High), hardened workstations or VDI for CUI access, FIPS-validated encryption, and comprehensive monitoring. We recommend enclave architecture for most contractors because it reduces compliance scope, strengthens security, and provides clear boundaries for assessors. The investment in enclave design typically pays for itself through reduced assessment scope and simplified ongoing compliance.

Can you support ITAR compliance requirements?

Yes. We implement IT infrastructure and security controls that satisfy ITAR requirements for organizations handling defense articles, technical data, and defense services regulated under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. ITAR requires that technical data is accessible only by U.S. persons, that cloud environments meet ITAR data sovereignty requirements (GCC High satisfies this), and that physical and logical access controls prevent deemed exports to foreign nationals. Our ITAR IT solutions include identity verification enforcing U.S. person status, GCC High cloud environments with sovereign data controls, network segmentation and access control preventing unauthorized access, encryption meeting FIPS 140-2 standards, and integration with your Technology Control Plan. We work alongside your export compliance team to ensure IT controls align with DDTC registration and agreement requirements.

What happens during a cyber incident under DFARS?

DFARS 252.204-7012 imposes specific obligations when a cyber incident affecting covered defense information occurs. You must report the incident to the DoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3) within 72 hours of discovery, preserve forensic images of affected systems for at least 90 days, submit malicious software discovered during the incident, and provide DoD access to additional information or equipment for forensic analysis upon request. Our incident response plan is specifically designed to satisfy these DFARS obligations. When an incident occurs, our team immediately contains the threat, preserves forensic evidence with chain-of-custody documentation, creates forensic images suitable for DC3 submission, coordinates the 72-hour report filing, and manages communication with your contracting officer and prime contractor. Our Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner ensures investigations meet the evidentiary standards required for government review.

Do subcontractors need CMMC certification too?

Yes. CMMC flow-down requirements mandate that subcontractors processing, storing, or transmitting CUI on behalf of a prime contractor must achieve the CMMC level specified in the prime contract. This applies throughout the supply chain -- sub-tier contractors must meet the same requirements as first-tier subcontractors. If you are a prime contractor, your subcontractors' compliance status directly affects your own compliance and contract eligibility. If you are a subcontractor, your ability to win subcontracts depends on achieving and maintaining the required CMMC certification level. We help both primes and subs navigate flow-down requirements, assess subcontractor compliance, and implement technical solutions that enable secure information sharing while maintaining each party's compliance boundary.

How much do federal contractor IT services cost?

Federal contractor IT services cost more than standard commercial managed services because the compliance requirements, security tooling, cloud environments (GCC High licensing), and specialized expertise demand significantly higher investment. Monthly managed services for compliant environments typically range from $150-$300 per user depending on scope, user count, and environment complexity. CMMC preparation engagements range from $50,000-$250,000+ depending on current posture, gap severity, and organizational complexity. GCC High migration projects typically require $25,000-$100,000+ depending on user count, data volume, and integration complexity. While these costs are substantial, they are a fraction of the revenue at risk from lost contract eligibility, DFARS non-compliance penalties, or data breach consequences. We provide detailed proposals with transparent pricing after initial assessment so you can budget accurately and make informed investment decisions.

Protect Your Contracts with Compliant IT Infrastructure

Federal contracting demands IT that meets the highest security and compliance standards in American business. From CMMC preparation to GCC High migration to 24/7 security monitoring, Petronella Technology Group, Inc. delivers the specialized IT services federal contractors need to win contracts, protect CUI, and pass assessments. Do not wait until a contract requires certification you do not have.

Request Federal Contractor Assessment 919-348-4912

BBB A+ rated since 2003 | Founded 2002 | Raleigh, NC 27606 | Zero client breaches