Commercial Off-the-Shelf

Definition

Commercial off-the-shelf items are products sold in the commercial marketplace and offered to the Government without modification. Under 32 CFR 170.3(c), CMMC requirements do not apply to a contract or subcontract exclusively for COTS items.

If a contract is only for standard commercial products sold off the shelf, CMMC does not apply to that contract. The exception is narrow. It covers contracts exclusively for COTS items, and a contract that also covers anything else is not exempt on that basis.

Term identity

Term

Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)

Framework

CMMC · Level 1

Authority

32 CFR § 170.3(c)