Summit 7 Secures U.S. Army's NCODE Contract to Support Small Defense Businesses

In a groundbreaking move for small contractors, the U.S. Army has awarded Summit 7 a pivotal contract under its Next-gen Commercial Operations in Defended Enclaves (NCODE) initiative, effective May 15th. This program is aimed primarily at helping small businesses navigate the challenges imposed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171 and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements.

As the sole Agreement for Online Services - Government (AOS-G) partner selected for the NCODE Program, Summit 7 is well-positioned to leverage its extensive experience with Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud (GCC) High Licensing and Azure Government. The company aims to develop tailored cybersecurity solutions that meet the critical needs of the Department of War (DoW) while providing support to the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) with tools that have long been requested by industry participants.

The NCODE marketplace is designed to assist contractors in their compliance efforts, fostering establishment of a secure foundational environment necessary for achieving CMMC certification. One of the key features of the NCODE initiative is its connection of participating businesses with Verified External Service Providers (VESPs), such as Summit 7, enabling these small enterprises to capitalize on specialized resources and expertise in cybersecurity. The initial budget allocated for this transformative endeavor stands at $49 million over the next five years.

Scott Edwards, CEO of Summit 7, expressed the importance of this program for small businesses, stating, "This critical enclave environment will allow us to ensure that the most innovative, yet vulnerable, members of our defense supply chain are not shut out from participating in our defense industrial base. These highly innovative companies bring capabilities to the ecosystem that we cannot afford to lose. Summit 7 is incredibly excited to help these companies continue to bring new capabilities to market for our warfighters."

The broader implications of this program extend beyond the Army's immediate needs, as the NCODE marketplace is open to any contractor holding a DoW contract. This includes branches of the armed forces such as the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Major Defense Agencies, and the National Guard, thereby providing critical support for small businesses across the entire DIB.

Dan Yaciuk, Director of Federal Sales at Summit 7, emphasized the significance of this initiative for eligible small businesses, saying, "The NCODE Program is a groundbreaking solution for eligible businesses that otherwise may find NIST 800-171 and CMMC unattainable. Ensuring these small businesses have the tools and support required to remain a part of the DIB Supply Chain addresses a significant data security concern shared by the Army and DoW."

The pilot phase of the program will initially include 8 VESPs, serving a select number of small businesses with the potential to support up to 1,000 over time. The main program is expected to launch within six months, expanding its reach to accommodate thousands of eligible business entities.

About Summit 7

Summit 7 is renowned for its commitment to bolster the Defense Industrial Base by providing advanced cybersecurity, compliance, and cloud solutions. The company has witnessed rapid growth, increasing from 100 employees to over 300 in just three years. Their expertise in CMMC, NIST 800-171, and DFARS 7012 within GCC High environments has earned them national accolades, including positions on the CRN Fast Growth 150 and Inc. 5000 lists. Summit 7 distinguishes itself by offering free resources to the DIB and focusing exclusively on the defense supply chain, supported by staff members comprising veterans and military family members. Not only does Summit 7 secure contracts for critical defense projects, but it also plays a vital role in educating and empowering the U.S. defense industry, ensuring long-term security and resilience for the nation's defense capabilities.