The answer in 50 words
For CMMC Level 1, most small contractors do not need a consultant. Level 1 is self-assessed against 15 FAR 52.204-21 requirements, with no third-party assessor. A guided platform, optionally with a compliance officer, gets you to a defensible affirmation faster and for far less.
Consultant vs DIY vs a guided platform
| Consultant | DIY spreadsheet | Custodia platform | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Level 1 cost | A project fee | $0 plus your time | $458.34/mo, officer included |
| Time to done | 4 to 8 weeks | Depends on you | Days |
| Generates SSP + affirmation | Yes | Manual | Auto |
| Human officer | Yes, one time | No | Included, year round |
| Annual renewal | Re-engage and re-pay | Start over | Tracked for you |
CMMC consultant for Level 1: FAQ
Do I need a CMMC consultant for Level 1?
Usually not. CMMC Level 1 is a self-assessment and self-affirmation of 15 FAR 52.204-21 safeguarding requirements on Federal Contract Information. There is no third-party assessor at Level 1, so you are not required to hire anyone. A consultant can help, but for most small contractors a guided platform with a compliance officer included gets you to a defensible affirmation faster and for far less than a traditional engagement.
How much does a CMMC consultant cost?
For Level 1, consultant engagements are billed as a project and usually take four to eight weeks; some quote a Level 2 rebuild you do not need. DoD's own labor estimate for the self assessment itself is $5,977 a year for a small business (89 FR 83092, table 15). By comparison, Custodia is $458.34/mo with the platform and a credentialed compliance officer both included, and a 30 day free trial. Your team runs its own self assessment; the officer reviews every step year round.
When is a consultant actually worth it?
When you handle CUI and are heading to Level 2, when your environment is genuinely complex, or when a contract requires outside attestation support. For a straightforward Level 1 shop that handles only FCI, paying consultant rates for a self-assessment you can do guided is usually overpaying for reassurance.
What is the middle ground between DIY and a consultant?
A guided platform with an officer. You get the software that walks all 15 requirements, generates your SSP and affirmation, and reviews your evidence, plus a credentialed compliance officer who checks your package the way an assessor would and stays available year round. It is the confidence of a consultant without the one-time bill or the four-week wait.
Get the officer without the consultant bill
The platform walks all 15 requirements and generates your package, and a credentialed Custodia Compliance Officer is included, checking it the way an assessor would and staying with you year round. Start free for 30 days.