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CMMC COMPLIANCE FOR TOOL & DIE SHOPS

CMMC Compliance for Tool & Die Shops

Tool and die shops hold the design data that enables defense production. We secure your die designs, tooling CAD, and proprietary process know-how to CMMC Level 2 without disrupting delivery.

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Why Tool & Die Shops Companies Need CMMC Compliance

Tool and die shops occupy a uniquely sensitive position in the defense supply chain. The progressive dies, injection molds, stamping tools, and custom fixtures you design and build often encode the manufacturing process for an entire defense part family. A single stolen die file can reveal dimensions, tolerances, and process parameters that took a prime a decade to develop.

Most tool shops handle CUI without realizing it. The drawings you receive from a stamping house or a munitions manufacturer, the mating dimensions flowed down from a prime, and the tryout data captured during qualification are almost all covered by DFARS 252.204-7012 when tied to DoD work.

The cybersecurity challenge in a tool shop is unique: you run high-end CAD (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, TopSolid), aggressive CAM (Mastercam, hyperMILL, Tebis), CMM inspection, and EDM sparking, all from a small engineering team with limited IT resources. CMMC Level 2 asks you to protect that workflow with 110 controls.

We build CMMC programs for tool and die shops that fit small engineering teams and tight delivery windows. We scope the CUI enclave tightly, automate evidence collection, and keep the toolmakers on the bench instead of in compliance meetings.

$4.8M
average cost when a tool and die shop experiences a breach of customer design data.

Our CMMC Services for Tool & Die Shops

End-to-end CMMC consulting tailored to tool and die shops. Whether you are starting from scratch or preparing for your C3PAO assessment, we meet you where you are.

Tool Shop Gap Assessment

Full NIST 800-171 review covering CAD/CAM seats, CMM, EDM, and engineering file servers.

Readiness Assessment

Mock C3PAO review with evidence collected for die design handoff and tryout data.

Policy & Documentation

SSP, POA&M, and policies for die design receipt, tryout data retention, and customer IP handling.

Technical Controls Implementation

MFA on engineering seats, FIPS-encrypted design repositories, audit logging, and endpoint hardening.

Managed Compliance

Ongoing monitoring, vulnerability management, and SSP maintenance so your status holds.

C3PAO Certification Support

Mock assessments, interview coaching, and on-site audit support.

Which CMMC Level Do You Need?

The CMMC level you need is dictated by the information you handle under your DoD contracts. Here is how CMMC 2.0 breaks down for tool and die shops.

Level 1

Foundational

  • 17 basic safeguarding practices from FAR 52.204-21
  • For contractors that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) only
  • Annual self-assessment with senior-official affirmation in SPRS
  • No CUI in scope
Level 2 — Most Common for Tool & Die Shops

Advanced

  • All 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2
  • Required for any contractor that stores, processes, or transmits CUI
  • Third-party C3PAO assessment every three years
  • The level most tool and die shops will need
Level 3

Expert

  • All Level 2 controls plus selected NIST SP 800-172 enhanced requirements
  • Required for contractors on the DoD's highest-priority programs
  • Government-led DIBCAC assessment every three years
  • Applies to a narrow set of contractors

Tool and die shops supporting defense stamping, munitions, and composite programs will usually need Level 2. Level 1 applies to FCI-only work. We will review your contracts and DFARS clauses with you at no cost to confirm.

Controlled Unclassified Information We Protect in Tool & Die Shops

Under NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012, every one of these artifacts is typically CUI when tied to a DoD contract. Each one is in scope for CMMC Level 2.

Die & Mold Designs

Progressive die layouts, mold base assemblies, and core/cavity designs tied to defense parts.

Customer Part Drawings

Defense part drawings with dimensions and tolerances flowed down by the stamping or molding house.

CAM Toolpaths for Die Cutting

Mastercam, hyperMILL, and Tebis toolpaths for EDM electrodes and die components.

Tryout & Qualification Data

Press tryout reports, shot-size data, and part measurements captured during qualification.

Material Certs & BOMs

Tool steel certifications, insert lot records, and BOMs for defense tools.

Engineering Change Orders

ECOs and ECNs that modify die or mold configurations tied to CUI parts.

$4.8M
average loss when a tool shop leaks customer design IP
74%
of tool shops run CAD seats without MFA or device encryption
5-8 Mo
typical Level 2 readiness timeline
110
NIST 800-171 controls at Level 2

Our 5-Step CMMC Process for Tool & Die Shops

1

Initial Consultation

We review your customer contracts, flow-down clauses, and the way die designs enter and leave your environment.

2

Gap Analysis

Control-by-control review across your engineering and CAM environment.

3

Remediation Planning

Prioritized roadmap that respects toolmaker workload and delivery dates.

4

Implementation

Deploy the controls, author the SSP, train the engineers, build the evidence.

5

Assessment Support

Mock audits, interview coaching, and on-site assessment support.

Why Telco United for Tool & Die Shops CMMC

Small-Shop Fit

We right-size CMMC for 10-50 person engineering teams so you do not need a full-time compliance officer.

Fixed-Price Engagements

Scoped, capped cost so ownership can plan the investment.

CAD/CAM Expertise

We know NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, TopSolid, Mastercam, hyperMILL, and Tebis.

24/7 Managed SOC

US-person SOC to satisfy monitoring controls without hiring a team.

Customer IP Protection

Our access controls keep customer die designs isolated by customer and program.

End-to-End Delivery

Implement, document, train, and audit-ready support.

Tool & Die Shops CMMC FAQ

Does a tool and die shop really need CMMC?
If you build dies or molds for a defense stamping, molding, munitions, or composite supplier, you almost certainly handle CUI and will need Level 2 as flow-down becomes universal.
What CUI do tool shops have?
Customer part drawings, die designs, CAM toolpaths, tryout data, and ECOs tied to defense parts are typically CUI.
How long does readiness take?
Five to eight months for most small shops.
How much does CMMC cost a tool shop?
$50,000-$120,000 for Level 2 readiness plus ongoing managed compliance and the C3PAO fee.
What level do we need?
Level 2 in almost every case.
Can we share a CAD seat across customers?
Yes, with logical access control, project-based permissions, and audit logging in place.

Start Your CMMC Journey Today

Get a free consultation with our CMMC experts. No commitment, just clear next steps tailored to your contracts, your environment, and your timeline.

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