Idaho · Northwestern US
Idaho cybersecurity grants for defense contractors
Idaho's defense and national-security footprint runs from Idaho National Laboratory's nuclear and national-security research to the fighter wings at Mountain Home Air Force Base and Gowen Field. If you hold or pursue DoD work, a CMMC gap assessment shows exactly where you stand, and the Cyber Grants Alliance grant can cover it.
CMMC Phase 2 status: under DoD review. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party certification requirement in July 2026 pending a program review. Phase 1 self-assessment against NIST SP 800-171 remains mandatory now, and self-certified compliance carries more liability with third-party verification on hold.
Why it matters here
Where does Idaho's defense work come from?
Idaho's defense and national-security economy centers on Idaho National Laboratory's nuclear and national-security research, alongside Air Force and Air National Guard fighter operations, creating significant contracting opportunities, and CMMC obligations, for local businesses.
Idaho Falls
Idaho National Laboratory
A Department of Energy national laboratory with more than 6,200 researchers and staff, performing nuclear energy and national-security research, including a National Security Test Range for full-scale defense-systems testing and materials science work on armor prototypes.
Mountain Home
Mountain Home Air Force Base
Home to the 366th Fighter Wing "Gunfighters," flying F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, with a long-term detachment of Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SGs.
Boise
Gowen Field / 124th Fighter Wing
The Idaho Air National Guard's home base since 1946, currently flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II, with a transition to the F-16 Fighting Falcon mission planned for 2027.
Your local partner
Who is Idaho's CMMC and manufacturing partner?
TechHelp is Idaho's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, a NIST MEP affiliate operated in partnership with Boise State University, Idaho State University, the University of Idaho, and the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance. It provides technology adoption, operational improvement, and manufacturing-readiness support to small and mid-sized Idaho manufacturers from offices in Boise, Post Falls, and Pocatello.
Cybersecurity & contracting readiness
Through its "Doing Business with the Government" services, TechHelp helps manufacturers prepare for federal cybersecurity requirements relevant to CMMC Level 2 and NIST 800-171.
Federal contracting support
TechHelp works alongside the Idaho APEX Accelerator (formerly the Idaho PTAC), which is funded in part through a DoD cooperative agreement and hosted under the Boise State SBDC.
More resources
What other cybersecurity support can Idaho businesses use?
Beyond the grant, Idaho businesses can tap additional support through state programs and federal resources.
Idaho Office of Information Technology Services (ITS)
Created in 2018, ITS supports statewide cybersecurity for more than 50 state agencies under standards aligned to the NIST Framework, and runs the state's public cybersecurity.idaho.gov resource hub.
CISA Region 10
Serves Idaho through CISA's Seattle-based regional office, providing no-cost cybersecurity advisories and incident-response support across the Pacific Northwest.
Idaho APEX Accelerator
Formerly the Idaho PTAC, this Boise State SBDC-hosted program provides free help with SAM.gov registration, bid matching, and preparing for federal cybersecurity requirements, from offices in Boise, Nampa, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Coeur d'Alene.
The grant
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Idaho?
Through the CMMC gap assessment grant, it is a $5,000 in-kind award, no cash changes hands. You receive the assessment itself, delivered by a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
Confirm you qualify
Open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the supply chain that hold or pursue DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment.
Get assessed against NIST 800-171
A certified partner reviews your current controls and produces a scored gap report showing what stands between you and CMMC Level 2.
Leave with a remediation plan
You receive a prioritized action list and the resources that can fund the fixes, so compliance becomes a budget line, not a guess.
Questions
Frequently asked questions — Idaho CMMC grants
Who qualifies for the CMMC gap assessment grant in Idaho?
The grant is open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the DoD supply chain that hold or are pursuing DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment. Idaho businesses supporting Idaho National Laboratory, Mountain Home Air Force Base, or Gowen Field are typical candidates.
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Idaho?
Through the Cyber Grants Alliance program, the assessment is delivered as a $5,000 in-kind grant, no cash award. You receive the assessment itself from a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
What is Idaho's MEP center?
TechHelp is Idaho's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, a NIST MEP affiliate operated in partnership with Boise State University, Idaho State University, the University of Idaho, and the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance. It provides technology adoption, operational improvement, and cybersecurity readiness support, including NIST 800-171 guidance, to Idaho manufacturers.
Is CMMC Level 2 enforcement still happening on November 10, 2026?
No. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party (C3PAO) certification requirement on July 13, 2026, pending a program review, so there is no confirmed enforcement date at this time. Phase 1 self-assessment against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls remains mandatory now, and self-certified SPRS scores carry more liability while third-party verification is paused. A gap assessment is still the essential first step.
Do subcontractors in Idaho need CMMC?
If your contract or a prime's contract involves Controlled Unclassified Information, CMMC requirements generally flow down to subcontractors that handle that information. A gap assessment is the fastest way to confirm what applies to you.
Ready when you are
Apply for your CMMC gap assessment grant
100 in-kind awards, $5,000 each. Confirm eligibility and submit in minutes.