--- title: "How to Choose a CMMC Consultant in Ohio: RPO vs C3PAO | TRNSFRM" url: https://trnsfrm.tech/resources/how-to-choose-cmmc-consultant-ohio description: "How to choose a CMMC consultant in Ohio: what RPOs, C3PAOs and MSPs can and cannot do, the 3-year conflict rule, and questions to ask before you sign." lang: en --- CMMC Resource # How to Choose a CMMC Consultant in Ohio ## Short answer Know which role you are hiring. A C3PAO is the only type of organization that can perform a CMMC Level 2 certification assessment, and it cannot assess a company it consulted for in the previous three years. An RPO (Registered Provider Organization) is a Cyber AB registered advisory firm that helps you prepare but cannot certify you. A managed service provider runs and secures your systems day to day; if it touches your CUI environment it is part of your assessment scope. Most Ohio manufacturers need preparation help from one firm and an independent C3PAO for the assessment itself. ## RPO vs C3PAO vs MSP | | What they do | What they cannot do | How to verify | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | C3PAO | Performs Level 2 certification assessments using Certified CMMC Assessors and submits results to DoD | Consult for or implement controls at a company it will assess within 3 years | Cyber AB Marketplace (cyberab.org) | | RPO | Readiness and advisory: scoping, gap assessments, SSP and POA&M help, remediation guidance | Perform certification assessments or issue a CMMC status | Cyber AB Marketplace | | MSP or MSSP | Runs IT and security operations; often implements and operates the controls | Certify you; it is assessed as part of your environment if it handles CUI or Security Protection Data | Ask for its own security practices and how it fits your SSP | Federal rules do not require you to use an RPO. You can prepare in-house, with an RPO, or with another qualified consultant. What matters is that the work is accurate and that your assessor is independent. ## The three-year conflict rule Under 32 CFR Part 170 and the Cyber AB Code of Professional Conduct, a C3PAO cannot conduct your Level 2 certification assessment within three years of providing consulting, implementation or product services to you, and the rule applies to the whole firm, not just individual assessors. Be cautious of any firm that offers to both prepare and certify you. ## Questions to ask any CMMC consultant 1. Are you a C3PAO, an RPO, or neither? Show me your listing. 2. Who will do the work, and what CMMC credentials (RP, CCP, CCA) do they hold? 3. How will you scope CUI, including shop floor OT and engineering systems? 4. Will you produce an SPRS score using the DoD Assessment Methodology? 5. Do you implement and operate the fixes, or only advise? 6. If you will manage our systems, how do your tools and access fit into our SSP and assessment scope? 7. Can you handle ITAR data and Microsoft GCC High if we need it? 8. Will you be available during the C3PAO assessment to answer questions? ## Ohio specifics Many Ohio defense suppliers are machine shops, fabricators, aerospace component makers and electronics manufacturers, so CUI often lives in CAD files, ERP and MES systems and shop floor PCs, not just email. Choose a consultant who has worked in manufacturing environments and can be on site in Cleveland, Columbus or wherever your plants are. ## Where TRNSFRM fits TRNSFRM is an Ohio managed IT and cybersecurity provider headquartered in North Royalton with a Columbus-area presence. We perform CMMC gap assessments, build SSPs and POA&Ms, implement the controls, and operate them as your MSP, including Microsoft GCC High. We are not a C3PAO and do not certify anyone, which means we can prepare you and you remain free to choose any independent C3PAO for your assessment. Book a free CMMC gap audit (https://trnsfrm.tech/lp/cmmc-gap-audit-ohio) Or call (877) 777-6855 (+18777776855) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the difference between an RPO and a C3PAO? ### Do I have to hire an RPO for CMMC? ### Can my MSP also be my CMMC consultant? ### Is TRNSFRM a C3PAO? ### How do I verify a CMMC consultant or assessor? ## Related ### CMMC Compliance Services Gap assessment, remediation and readiness. https://trnsfrm.tech/frameworks/cmmc ### CMMC Level 2 Guide The 110 requirements and how the assessment runs. https://trnsfrm.tech/guides/cmmc-level-2 ### CMMC Gap Assessment Cost (Ohio) Process and DoD cost estimates. https://trnsfrm.tech/resources/cmmc-gap-assessment-cost-ohio ### CMMC Certification Cost Real budgets compared with DoD estimates. https://trnsfrm.tech/resources/cmmc-certification-cost ### CMMC Phase 2 Paused What changed and what still applies. https://trnsfrm.tech/resources/cmmc-phase-2-paused ### Defense & DoD Suppliers How we work with the defense supply chain. https://trnsfrm.tech/industries/defense-dod-suppliers ### Virtual CISO Executive security leadership. https://trnsfrm.tech/vciso ### Free Ohio CMMC Gap Audit A free 45-minute readiness gap audit. https://trnsfrm.tech/lp/cmmc-gap-audit-ohio ## Sources - 32 CFR Part 170 (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-170 - Cyber AB: C3PAO Accreditation Requirements R2002 (impartiality, C.4.1.8): https://cyberab.org/Portals/0/Documents/ISO17020/R2002-C3PAO%20Accreditation%20Requirements%20JAN2026.pdf - Cyber AB Marketplace: https://cyberab.org/Catalog - CMMC Program final rule, 89 FR 83092: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/15/2024-22905/cybersecurity-maturity-model-certification-cmmc-program Call Now: +18777776855 ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "TRNSFRM", "legalName": "Bitboyz LLC", "alternateName": [ "TRNSFRM Technology", "Bitboyz", "Bitboyz 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