Plain-English summary
A plain-English explanation of FCI and why small contractors should treat it with care. This page is for orientation only. Always verify the official source, contract language, solicitation instructions, and qualified professional advice before making commitments.
The practical meaning
Federal Contract Information, or FCI, is information provided by or generated for the U.S. government under a contract that is not intended for public release. It does not include information that the government has made public or simple transaction information needed to process payments. For a contractor, FCI may appear in work instructions, contract attachments, schedules, routine project communications, non-public specifications, or other contract-related records.
Why FCI matters even when it is not CUI
Many small contractors assume that if information is not classified or not marked as CUI, it can be handled casually. That is a bad assumption. FCI may still need basic safeguarding. CMMC Level 1 is specifically connected to basic safeguarding of FCI. A business that only handles FCI may face a different conversation than a business handling CUI, but “different” does not mean “unprotected.”
Examples without overclaiming
A small shop might see FCI in a non-public purchase order attachment, work statement, delivery schedule, service instruction, project note, or customer portal message. The exact classification depends on the source and context. This site avoids declaring that every example is definitely FCI because the real answer depends on the contract and official definitions.
How to start handling it better
A contractor can begin by keeping FCI out of personal email, limiting shared folder access, removing departed employees promptly, avoiding public posting, controlling portable copies, and recording where contract information is stored. Those steps do not prove compliance, but they support a more disciplined information-handling culture.
Key takeaways
- FCI is contract information not intended for public release.
- FCI is not the same as CUI, but it may still need safeguarding.
- Look to the contract and official definitions.
- Treat non-public contract records with care.
Official sources to verify
Use these official sources for current requirements. This page is educational and may not reflect every contract-specific detail.