On August 26, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a free Software Acquisition Guide: Supplier Response Web Tool. It’s designed to help agencies, contractors, and software suppliers bring cybersecurity into every step of the software buying process.
What the Tool Does
The tool builds on the 2024 ICT Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force guide and puts it into an interactive online format. Users answer a short questionnaire that:
- Adapts to the type of acquisition (simple product vs. complex system).
- Focuses only on questions relevant to the user’s situation.
- Produces an exportable summary that can be shared with CISOs, CIOs, or other decision-makers.
This makes it easier to check supplier security, document due diligence, and keep cybersecurity part of procurement discussions.
Why It Matters for Agencies and Contractors
Supply chain security is no longer optional. CMMC 2.0, and NIST 800-171/800-53 are already written into contracts.
CISA’s tool helps translate those rules into action. For Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) in particular:
- Federal mandates (EO 14028, NIST guidance, OMB memos) require agencies to request SBOMs.
- The tool provides a standard way to capture SBOM expectations in supplier responses.
- Procurement teams can then review and factor SBOMs into buying decisions.
The result: SBOMs are not just requested, but tied directly to procurement outcomes.
How TestPros Can Help
The tool makes supplier risk reviews easier, but it won’t solve the bigger challenges. Most organizations still need help with:
- Interpreting supplier responses and knowing what “good enough” looks like.
- Validating claims through independent testing.
- Integrating SBOMs into vulnerability management and ongoing compliance.
- Closing gaps with remediation and continuous monitoring.
TestPros works with agencies and contractors to take results from tools like this and build the evidence and processes needed for real compliance. We align your supply chain practices with SBOM, CMMC, FedRAMP, and NIST requirements — and help you prove it during audits.
What To Do Next
You can try the tool here: Supplier Response Web Tool.
If you need support turning SBOM and supply chain requirements into practice — not just paperwork — TestPros can help.
Contact us to get started.
Image edited from FreePik
