The Truth About Your SPRS Score: Why Managed Compliance Matters for Manufacturers

Are You Ready to Bid?

If you are a defense manufacturer, your SPRS score is more than a number. It is your ticket to compete. Overstate it and you risk contract loss, compliance penalties, or reputational damage. Undervalue it and you leave money and opportunities on the table.

For manufacturers navigating DFARS, NIST 800-171, and CMMC compliance, guessing is not an option. Cybersecurity standards are tightening, and the Department of Defense is holding contractors accountable. That is why your SPRS score is not just a technical detail. It is a business critical asset.

At Charles IT, we have seen too many manufacturers caught off guard. They think their IT support has them covered, but patches and passwords do not cut it. What is needed is managed compliance: a strategic approach that combines IT support, managed security, and compliance expertise to keep you secure, audit ready, and positioned to win.

Why Manufacturers Cannot Afford to Get SPRS Wrong

Manufacturing leaders like you face unique pressures:

• High stakes contracts – One missed requirement can disqualify you

• Complex supply chains – A single weak link can raise red flags

• Resource constraints – IT is critical, but it is not always your core business

And while IT providers may promise support, compliance takes more than uptime and ticket resolution. The DoD and your insurance provider want proof:

• System Security Plans (SSPs) that align with NIST 800-171

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enforced across accounts

• Audit logs and monitoring that prove accountability

• POAMs (Plans of Action and Milestones) with clear timelines

Without these, you could face denied claims, failed audits, or contract loss. That costs far more than your IT budget.

Common Compliance Gaps That Put Manufacturers at Risk

When reviewing assessments, we have noticed four recurring pitfalls that keep manufacturers from maintaining strong SPRS scores:

1. Support vs. Security

Does your IT provider simply reset passwords and apply patches, or are they delivering real time threat detection and MFA enforcement?

2. Compliance Controls

Are your systems actively aligned with NIST 800-171 and CMMC requirements, or are you relying on assumptions?

3. Hidden Gaps

Blind spots in logging, access control, or backups may look small but can lower an audit score or trigger a breach.

4. Price vs. Value

Is your IT spend going toward strategic protections, or just ticket closing? Partial coverage often costs more in the long run.

The Role of Managed Compliance

This is where Charles IT’s Managed Compliance comes in. Unlike reactive IT support, Managed Compliance is proactive. It ensures every piece of your IT,  from policies and user controls to backup testing and POAMs,  is aligned with both security and compliance.

With Managed Compliance, manufacturers get:

• Comprehensive readiness checks to validate your SPRS score

• Audit ready documentation that satisfies DoD requirements

• Strategic IT alignment so compliance is not just a checkbox, but a driver of efficiency and growth

Our approach is designed to help you bid confidently and prove to partners and regulators that your systems are secure, resilient, and compliant.

How to Prepare Your Manufacturing Business

If you are not sure where you stand today, the best step you can take is to run through a readiness checklist before your next audit or bid. That is why we created the SPRS Score Readiness Check Sheet, a quick, practical tool that helps manufacturers confirm whether they are prepared or exposed.

With it, you can quickly identify:

• Whether your System Security Plan is up to date

• If MFA and access controls are fully enforced

• Whether audit logs, backups, and incident response plans are in place

• If you have a POAM with realistic timelines to close gaps

This is not a replacement for a full assessment, but it is a powerful step in the right direction.

Why It Matters Now

The DoD is not slowing down, and neither should you. Manufacturers that lag on compliance risk:

• Losing contracts to better prepared competitors

• Triggering higher insurance premiums or denied claims

• Suffering reputational damage from a failed audit or breach

In today’s environment, compliance is not optional,  it is mission critical. And the truth is, the cost of non compliance far outweighs the investment in doing it right.

Next Steps for Manufacturers

If you are a manufacturing leader looking to secure contracts, reduce risk, and protect your reputation, now is the time to act.

• Download the SPRS Score Readiness Check Sheet to see where you stand
• Partner with a team that combines Managed IT, Security, and Compliance under one roof
• Build confidence that your SPRS score reflects reality and positions you to bid, win, and grow

Conclusion

Your SPRS score is more than a number,  it is your competitive advantage. But without the right compliance measures in place, it can quickly become your biggest vulnerability.

At Charles IT, we help manufacturers align IT, compliance, and security so they can stop worrying about audits and start focusing on growth. With Managed Compliance, you will have the tools, documentation, and confidence you need to win contracts and keep your business moving forward.

Ready to see where you stand?
Download the SPRS Score Readiness Check Sheet today and take the first step toward stronger compliance and stronger bids.