# Microsoft Opens Fabric GCC High to Contractors

Microsoft Fabric became generally available in GCC High on October 1, 2026, with features varying by workload. EPC Group published a nine-point data-foundation checklist for defense contractors considering the platform. The Department of War paused the planned CMMC Phase 2 transition on July 13, 2026, without announcing a replacement date, but contractors must still address NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 safeguarding and self-assessment requirements. The checklist is vendor guidance—not a government solicitation or contract announcement.

- Contractors evaluating Fabric should check which features are available for their workloads and assess how the platform fits their data-protection needs.
- The CMMC Phase 2 pause does not remove the stated NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 safeguarding and self-assessment responsibilities.
- EPC Group’s checklist may help organizations structure their GCC High evaluation; it does not establish government approval or substitute for applicable safeguarding requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Cloud Services, Cybersecurity
**Published:** October 02, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of War (DoW)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP)

### Vendors
- EPC Group (Publisher of GCC High and CMMC consulting guidance)
- Microsoft (Provider of Microsoft Fabric and GCC High)

### Sources
- [EPC Group Publishes a GCC High Data-Foundation Checklist as Microsoft Fabric Goes GA During the CMMC Phase 2 Pause - EIN Presswire](https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/946697387/epc-group-publishes-a-gcc-high-data-foundation-checklist-as-microsoft-fabric-goes-ga-during-the-cmmc-phase-2-pause) - einnews.com