Your technology impressed the program office. But before it touches a government network, you need an Authorization to Operate (ATO) , and most SBIR winners didn't budget for one. We did this so you don't have to figure it out alone.
An Authorization to Operate (ATO) is the federal government's formal green light to run software on its networks. It's not a certification or a badge , it's a legal prerequisite.
Before your Phase II technology connects to a government system, operates in a government cloud, or integrates with DoD infrastructure, you need an ATO signed by an Authorizing Official. No exceptions.
Most SBIR winners discover this requirement after winning Phase II or Phase III , not during the proposal stage. That's where we come in.
The underlying process is called the Risk Management Framework (RMF) , a DoD and NIST-defined methodology for categorizing your system, selecting security controls, implementing them, and achieving formal authorization. We run that entire process for you.
Operating without authorization isn't a gray area. Here's exactly what's at risk.
Any software touching a government network or integrating with DoD systems requires an ATO. This isn't a best practice , it's federal law under FISMA and DoD policy. Operating without authorization exposes your company to contract termination and legal liability.
Operating without an ATO can force your system offline and kill a Phase III award mid-execution. You don't get a warning. The government can issue a stop-work order on the spot. After years of developing your technology, this is the one risk that terminates everything immediately.
A completed ATO demonstrates security maturity and gives you a decisive edge when competing for follow-on work. Program offices remember who came authorized and ready to deploy. It becomes a durable differentiator as you pursue additional DoD and federal contracts.
Traditional ATO engagements cost $150K–$500K and take 12–18 months. Every month you wait is a month your Phase II clock ticks down. Starting early , ideally during Phase II , is the only way to be deployment-ready when Phase III opportunities surface.
No surprises, no scope creep. Pay by phase and only commit to the next step when you're ready.
We walk you through the ATO landscape, costs, authorization boundary, and applicable controls. You complete a structured questionnaire; we map your impact level and build your compliance roadmap. No surprises before you commit. This phase is completely free.
We onboard you to CertiField and integrate it into your DevSecOps pipelines. Your team completes STIG checklists, vulnerability scans, and remediation at your own pace , with AI-assisted guidance and real-time dashboards tracking authorization readiness. Your developers stay in their tools; compliance gets done around them.
When technical compliance is complete, we assemble your full security authorization package , SSP, SAR, and POA&M , and guide you through submission to the Authorizing Official. We stay with you through final authorization, not just through document delivery.
CertiField is Alethia Software's purpose-built compliance platform, developed from extensive Department of Defense past performance across federal programs. It centralizes STIGs, POA&Ms, vulnerability scans, and authorization readiness into one dashboard , so nothing falls through the cracks.
Unlike generic GRC tools, CertiField was built specifically for the DoD authorization environment. It's included in every White Glove engagement, and available standalone at certifield.software.
Integrates with your stack:
Free consultation. We assess your system, map your controls, and give you a clear picture before you commit a dollar.
CertiField platform included. STIG guidance, vulnerability remediation support, and real-time dashboards.
Full authorization package assembly and AO submission support. We stay with you through the finish line.
No commitment required. We'll walk you through the ATO landscape, assess your system, and give you a clear compliance roadmap , before you spend a dollar. Most teams leave Phase 1 with more clarity about their authorization path than they've had since winning their award.
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Schedule a free 30-minute consultation , no forms, no wait.