ATX Defense Awarded $49 Million Contract for Cybersecurity Compliance Support

In a significant move to bolster cybersecurity compliance within the defense industry, ATX Defense has been selected as one of the awardees for a five-year, $49 million contract by the U.S. Army. This initiative, part of the Next Generation Commercial Operations in the Defending Enclave (NCODE) pilot program, focuses on assisting small businesses in meeting critical cybersecurity requirements.

ATX Defense, an Austin-based consulting firm, has developed a platform known as CMMC Space, designed to help federal contractors prepare for Level 2 certification under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The deadline for this compliance is fast approaching, with a target date set for November 10. The NCODE program aims to simplify the pathway for eligible companies to achieve compliance, ultimately supporting the nation's defense infrastructure.

Zach Walker, co-founder of ATX Defense, emphasized the vital role small and mid-sized businesses play in the defense industrial base and asserted that any disruption to their operations could pose a serious risk to national security. He noted, "While many leaders recognize the necessity of CMMC, NCODE signals that Army leaders also understand the risk new compliance requirements pose to the supply chain and that they are committed to preventing that disruption."

CMMC Space was launched in 2024 as a more affordable alternative to legacy CMMC compliance solutions. Currently, it provides a FedRAMP Moderate-Equivalent tool, leveraging Google Cloud technology. Over 300 organizations have utilized this platform, leading more than 70 defense contractors to achieve Level 2 CMMC certification. The company has also secured an additional contract with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to extend CMMC Space services to its small business portfolio companies.

"Our platform was designed with small businesses in mind, aiming to provide them with a supportive environment to navigate compliance without hindering their modernization efforts," stated Shawn Kotoske, another co-founder of ATX Defense. He believes that NCODE will mark the moment when compliance became a fundamental aspect of defense readiness, rather than merely a cost to be absorbed in the supply chain.

The importance of having secure, AI-ready IT solutions for organizations supporting national security was echoed by Josh Marcuse, the director of defense strategy at Google Public Sector. He highlighted that small businesses should access a cost-effective and efficient route to comply with federal standards. Google Workspace, utilized in CMMC Space, offers a secure environment to help government contractors manage compliance documentation and administrative tasks more effectively.

As per the current outline, the Army has selected eight companies to feature in the NCODE Marketplace, which is anticipated to launch later in 2026. Specifics regarding how companies can access the services offered through the Marketplace are still being finalized, promising a streamlined process for those in the defense industrial sector.

ATX Defense, founded by veterans with extensive backgrounds in organizations such as the NSA, CIA, and Pentagon, stands firmly committed to addressing cybersecurity challenges in a complex defense landscape. As the first Google Partner to be both a CMMC Managed Service Provider and Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization, the firm uniquely positions itself as a leader in assisting defense contractors achieve necessary compliance without detracting from their modernization goals. Recently featuring on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, ATX Defense is recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation.

For more information, visit ATX Defense's website.