| name | fedramp-authorization |
| description | FedRAMP cloud-authorization program (Rev 5) — the FedRAMP Authorization Act of 2022 (44 U.S.C. 3607-3616), OMB M-24-15, the Rev 5 baselines (Low 156 / Moderate 323 / High 410 / LI-SaaS 156, tailored from NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5), the SSP/SAP/SAR/POA&M package, the 3PAO assessment, monthly Continuous Monitoring, and the FedRAMP 20x direction. Two load-bearing facts: FedRAMP baselines ARE tailored 800-53 controls (not a separate catalog — that is nist-800-53-rmf), and the current authorizer is the statutory FedRAMP Board, NOT the retired JAB. Use to categorize a system (FIPS 199 high-water mark) and select a baseline, scope an authorization package, plan a 3PAO assessment, run monthly ConMon and POA&M, or determine LI-SaaS eligibility. Activate when the user says 'FedRAMP', 'cloud authorization', 'ATO', 'P-ATO', 'agency authorization', '3PAO', 'SSP', 'SAR', 'POA&M', 'ConMon', 'continuous monitoring', 'Li-SaaS', 'FedRAMP baseline', 'FedRAMP Moderate/High', 'FedRAMP 20x', 'authorization to operate', or 'cloud service provider authorization'. |
| category | audit-framework |
| risk | informational |
| source | FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program), Rev 5. Authority: FedRAMP Authorization Act of 2022 (PL 117-263; 44 U.S.C. 3607-3616) and OMB Memorandum M-24-15 (2024-07-25). Baselines tailored from NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5; Rev 5 baseline control totals counted from the PMO-authored OSCAL profiles (OSCAL-Foundation/fedramp-resources). 3PAO accreditation by A2LA to ISO/IEC 17020. Public US-government text — machine-verifiable; retrieval 2026-06-11. Companion: nist-800-53-rmf for the control catalog and general RMF (not re-taught here). |
| date_added | "2026-06-11T00:00:00.000Z" |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| status | draft |
| industries | ["saas-technology","public-sector","financial-services","healthcare"] |
| frameworks | ["FedRAMP-Rev5","FedRAMP-Authorization-Act-2022","OMB-M-24-15","NIST-SP-800-53r5"] |
| telemetry_contract | telemetry/schema.json#/$defs/SkillInvocation |
| context_budget | {"always_loaded_tokens":3800,"per_call_typical_tokens":7500,"per_call_max_tokens":17000,"per_call_p90_tokens":9500} |
| tags | ["fedramp","fedramp-rev5","cloud-authorization","ato","p-ato","agency-authorization","fedramp-board","omb-m-24-15","fedramp-authorization-act","fips-199","impact-level","baseline","low","moderate","high","li-saas","ssp","sap","sar","poam","3pao","a2la","conmon","continuous-monitoring","control-inheritance","fedramp-20x","ksi","oscal","nist-800-53","saas-technology","public-sector"] |
You are an expert agent performing FedRAMP cloud-authorization work for cloud service providers (CSPs), sponsoring agencies, and third-party assessment organizations (3PAOs). Follow every instruction below precisely. Use exact citations and current program facts. Two facts are load-bearing and the most-confused in this domain: FedRAMP baselines ARE NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls (tailored) — not a separate catalog, and the current authorizer is the statutory FedRAMP Board under the 2022 Act and OMB M-24-15 — the Joint Authorization Board (JAB) and its P-ATO are retired. Get both exactly right.
FedRAMP Authorization Skill (Router)
This SKILL.md is a router. The deep-dive content lives in chunks/. Load the chunks that match the user's intent — see §11 Routing. The skill covers the FedRAMP program and process; it cites the 800-53 boundary but does not re-teach the control catalog (that is nist-800-53-rmf).
1. When to Use / Not Use This Skill
Use This Skill When:
- Categorizing a system and selecting a baseline — the FIPS 199 overall impact is the high-water mark across confidentiality/integrity/availability, and the FedRAMP Rev 5 baseline follows: Low 156, Moderate 323, High 410 controls [FEDRAMP-REV5-BASELINES §counts]; categorization basis [FIPS-199 §categorization].
- Determining LI-SaaS (Tailored) eligibility — a Low-impact offering delivered as SaaS may use the LI-SaaS baseline (156 controls: 66 3PAO-tested + 90 CSP-attested) [FEDRAMP-REV5-BASELINES §li-saas]. Moderate+SaaS is not LI-SaaS.
- Scoping the authorization package — SSP (the CSP's "security blueprint"), SAP and SAR (the 3PAO's plan and results), and the POA&M (the CSP's corrective-action plan) [FEDRAMP-PLAYBOOK §ssp].
- Planning a 3PAO assessment — the independent assessor, A2LA-accredited to ISO/IEC 17020, tests the controls and writes the SAR; inherited/leveraged controls are not re-tested by the leveraging CSP [A2LA-3PAO §17020].
- Running Continuous Monitoring — the monthly ConMon cadence (updated POA&M, inventory, vuln-scan results) with remediation SLAs 30 / 90 / 180 days (high-critical / moderate / low) [FEDRAMP-CONMON §monthly].
- Choosing an authorization path — Agency Authorization is the operative Rev 5 path; M-24-15 adds multi-agency authorization and the presumption of adequacy [OMB-M-24-15 §presumption].
Do NOT Use This Skill When:
- The question is the NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 control catalog or the general RMF (control families, the RMF 7 steps, control selection mechanics) — use
nist-800-53-rmf. FedRAMP baselines are tailored 800-53 controls; this skill cites the boundary, it does not re-teach the catalog [NIST-800-53R5 §baselines].
- The user needs DoD Impact Levels (IL2/4/5/6) / DISA SRG, GovRAMP (formerly StateRAMP), or CMMC — distinct regimes, named as adjacent, not covered here.
- The user wants a legal/authorization decision or an ATO guarantee — the ATO is the authorizing official's risk-based decision; this skill encodes the program, it is not authorization or legal advice.
2. Framework Overview
FedRAMP is the U.S. government's standardized program for authorizing cloud services, established in statute by the FedRAMP Authorization Act of 2022 (44 U.S.C. 3607–3616), which created the FedRAMP Board [FEDRAMP-ACT-2022 §3610]. OMB M-24-15 (2024-07-25) modernized the program: it rescinded the original 2011 memo, framed FedRAMP around a single authorization with a presumption of adequacy, retired the JAB P-ATO model, and pushed machine-readable artifacts [OMB-M-24-15 §authority]. FedRAMP's Low/Moderate/High baselines are the NIST SP 800-53B baselines (149 / 287 / 370) tailored up with FedRAMP additions and parameters to 156 / 323 / 410 [NIST-800-53R5 §baselines]. A 3PAO accredited by A2LA assesses the controls [A2LA-3PAO §17020]; the CSP then maintains the authorization through monthly ConMon [FEDRAMP-CONMON §monthly].
| Layer | Element | Where |
|---|
| What FedRAMP is; the 2022 Act; the FedRAMP Board (NOT the JAB); M-24-15 | 44 U.S.C. 3607-3616; OMB M-24-15 | chunks/01 |
| The spine + boundary: FIPS 199 categorization; the 4 baselines; tailoring from 800-53 | 156/323/410/156; 149/287/370 | chunks/02 |
| Authorization paths: Agency Authorization; presumption of adequacy; JAB retired; readiness | M-24-15; FedRAMP Ready | chunks/03 |
| The package: SSP / SAP / SAR / POA&M | Rev 5 playbook | chunks/04 |
| 3PAO assessment + control inheritance | A2LA / ISO 17020; leveraging | chunks/05 |
| Continuous Monitoring (monthly) | ConMon cadence; SLAs 30/90/180 | chunks/06 |
| POA&M lifecycle + deviation requests + risk | FP / RA / OR; AO risk acceptance | chunks/07 |
| FedRAMP 20x + modernization (emerging) | KSIs; machine-readable packages; OSCAL | chunks/08 |
Counting conventions (from the fact sheet §0, counted from the PMO OSCAL profiles): baselines Low 156 (135 base + 21 enhancements), Moderate 323 (181 + 142), High 410 (191 + 219), LI-SaaS 156 (= Low's set; method-designated, not a flat 66/90 split — see §9); 800-53B baselines 149 / 287 / 370; 3 FIPS 199 impact levels over 3 CIA objectives (high-water mark); 4 core package artifacts (SSP/SAP/SAR/POA&M); ConMon is monthly.
3. Core Concepts
3.1 FedRAMP baselines ARE tailored 800-53 controls — the boundary (chunks/02)
FedRAMP does not invent a control catalog. Its Low/Moderate/High baselines are the NIST SP 800-53B baselines (149/287/370) tailored up with FedRAMP-specific additional controls and parameter values, yielding 156/323/410 [NIST-800-53R5 §baselines]. The control IDs are the same 800-53 catalog (AC-2, SI-2, …). For the catalog itself, the control families, or the general RMF, use nist-800-53-rmf. This skill owns the program (categorization → baseline → package → assessment → ConMon).
3.2 The FedRAMP Board, not the JAB — current governance (chunks/01, chunks/03)
The 2022 Act created the statutory FedRAMP Board (44 U.S.C. 3610), and OMB M-24-15 retired the JAB P-ATO model — legacy JAB P-ATOs were re-designated by the FedRAMP PMO [OMB-M-24-15 §authority]. Do not describe the JAB as a current authorizing body. Agency Authorization is the operative Rev 5 path; M-24-15 adds multi-agency authorization and the presumption of adequacy (an agency must presume a FedRAMP package adequate at a given impact level) [OMB-M-24-15 §presumption].
3.3 FIPS 199 high-water mark → baseline (chunks/02)
The overall system impact is the maximum of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact levels (Low < Moderate < High) [FIPS-199 §categorization]. That overall level selects the baseline. Raising any single objective to High makes the whole system High (→ 410 controls).
3.4 The package and the 3PAO (chunks/04, chunks/05)
The CSP authors the SSP (the security blueprint); the 3PAO authors the SAP (plan) and SAR (results); the CSP maintains the POA&M (corrective actions) [FEDRAMP-PLAYBOOK §ssp]. The 3PAO is independent and A2LA-accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 (Type A or C; Type B is prohibited) [A2LA-3PAO §17020]. Inherited/leveraged controls (e.g., an IaaS provider's) are not re-tested by the leveraging CSP — they belong to the provider's package and POA&M.
3.5 ConMon is monthly; POA&M deadlines follow severity (chunks/06, chunks/07)
After authorization the CSP submits monthly ConMon (updated POA&M, system inventory, vulnerability-scan results) [FEDRAMP-CONMON §monthly]. POA&M remediation deadlines follow severity: 30 days high/critical, 90 moderate, 180 low. Deviation requests (False Positive / Risk Adjustment / Operational Requirement) handle scan results that are not straightforward findings.
3.6 FedRAMP 20x is emerging — label it (chunks/08)
FedRAMP 20x is the automation-first, outcome-based modernization track (Key Security Indicators, machine-readable packages). Present it as direction, not the settled Rev 5 process a CSP certifies against today.
4. Decision Logic (summary)
| User need | Route |
|---|
| "What is FedRAMP?" / the 2022 Act / the Board / who authorizes / M-24-15 | chunks/01 |
| "Which baseline?" / categorize a system / FIPS 199 / how many controls / 800-53 relationship | chunks/02 |
| "Agency ATO vs JAB" / authorization path / presumption of adequacy / readiness | chunks/03 |
| "What's in the package?" / SSP / SAP / SAR / POA&M | chunks/04 |
| "3PAO assessment" / A2LA / control testing / inheritance / leveraging | chunks/05 |
| "Continuous monitoring" / monthly cadence / scan frequency / remediation SLAs | chunks/06 |
| "POA&M" / deviation request / false positive / risk adjustment / re-authorization | chunks/07 |
| "FedRAMP 20x" / KSIs / machine-readable / OSCAL / what's changing | chunks/08 |
| The 800-53 control catalog / RMF steps / control families | nist-800-53-rmf (out of scope here) |
5. Procedure Templates (summary)
- Categorize → select baseline → POA&M deadlines (Moderate via Agency Authorization) —
use-cases/uc-01-moderate-agency-ato.md.
- LI-SaaS eligibility determination (Low-impact SaaS readiness) —
use-cases/uc-02-li-saas-readiness.md.
- 3PAO finding roll-up (failed CSP-owned controls → POA&M; inheritance) —
use-cases/uc-03-third-party-assessment.md.
- FIPS 199 categorization procedure (per-objective impact → high-water mark) —
chunks/02 §Procedure.
- ConMon monthly procedure (scans → POA&M update → deviation requests) —
chunks/06 §Procedure.
- POA&M lifecycle (deficiency → item → severity SLA → close/deviate) —
chunks/07 §Procedure.
6. Output Templates (summary)
- Categorization + baseline-selection summary (impact, baseline, control count) —
chunks/02 §Output template.
- Package checklist (SSP/SAP/SAR/POA&M with author + sequence) —
chunks/04 §Output template.
- POA&M item (finding, severity, SLA due-date, status, deviation type) —
chunks/07 §Output template.
- 3PAO SAR finding roll-up (findings, severity counts, inheritance, AO risk note) —
chunks/05 §Output template.
7. Cross-References (summary)
nist-800-53-rmf — the control catalog + general RMF. This skill references the boundary one-way (from chunks/02): FedRAMP baselines are tailored 800-53 Rev 5 controls; it does not re-teach the catalog.hipaa-security-rule — a health-tech CSP serving government health systems overlaps FedRAMP and HIPAA control families (pointer in chunks/05 and industries/healthcare.md).nist-csf-2 — general cyber posture can feed the SSP narrative (pointer in chunks/01).aicpa-soc-reporting — SOC 2 is the adjacent commercial assurance; FedRAMP is the federal authorization (one-line contrast in chunks/01).
External: DoD Impact Levels / DISA SRG, GovRAMP (formerly StateRAMP), and CMMC are adjacent regimes, named not covered. fedramp.gov pages render client-side; the Rev 5 baseline totals are counted from the PMO OSCAL profiles, and github.com/GSA/fedramp-automation is retired (use the OSCAL-Foundation mirror).
8. Worked Examples (summary)
Full worked examples live in use-cases/. Each has complete input, procedure, expected output, and a derivability oracle.
| UC | Title | Persona | Key output |
|---|
| UC-01 | SaaS FedRAMP Moderate via Agency Authorization — "Acme Cloud Suite" | CSP ISSO | Moderate (high-water mark); 323 controls; POA&M deadlines by severity (30/90/180) |
| UC-02 | Cloud vendor LI-SaaS readiness — "Beacon Forms" | cloud-vendor founder | LI-SaaS eligible (Low + SaaS); 156 controls (method-designated; the Rev 4 "66/90" split is not asserted) |
| UC-03 | Big-4 3PAO assessment of a Moderate CSP — "Example 3PAO" | 3PAO assessor | 4 findings (CSP-owned failed controls); inherited excluded; residual-high AO risk note |
9. Anti-Hallucination Disclaimers
- FedRAMP baselines ARE NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls, tailored — not a separate catalog. The Low/Moderate/High baselines are 800-53B's 149/287/370 tailored up to 156/323/410; LI-SaaS is 156 (= Low's set) [NIST-800-53R5 §baselines]. For the catalog/RMF, use
nist-800-53-rmf.
- The current authorizer is the statutory FedRAMP Board (44 U.S.C. 3610); the JAB and its P-ATO are retired. Do not present the JAB as a current authorizing body; legacy JAB P-ATOs were re-designated by the PMO under M-24-15 [OMB-M-24-15 §authority].
- FIPS 199 overall impact is the high-water mark (max of C/I/A) [FIPS-199 §categorization]. Do not average; one High objective makes the system High.
- LI-SaaS is Low-impact SaaS only. A Moderate (or High) impact system — even if SaaS-delivered — takes the full Moderate/High baseline, not LI-SaaS [FEDRAMP-REV5-BASELINES §li-saas].
- Inherited/leveraged controls are the provider's responsibility, not the leveraging CSP's — they are not re-tested by, and not in the POA&M of, the leveraging CSP [A2LA-3PAO §17020].
- ConMon is monthly; remediation SLAs are 30 / 90 / 180 days (high-critical / moderate / low) [FEDRAMP-CONMON §monthly]. The ATO decision is the authorizing official's risk-based call — a 3PAO recommends; it does not grant the ATO.
- FedRAMP 20x is an emerging direction, not the settled Rev 5 process — label it as such; do not state 20x mechanics as current requirements.
- Counts are fixed (fact sheet §0, OSCAL-verified): 156 / 323 / 410 / 156; 800-53B 149 / 287 / 370. Do not restate them with other numbers (e.g., 325 is the Rev 4 Moderate count, not Rev 5). The LI-SaaS "66 tested / 90 attested" flat split is a Rev 4 figure and is NOT reproducible from the Rev 5 OSCAL profile (which carries per-control method designations only) — state the 156 total and the method structure, never the 66/90.
- This skill encodes public FedRAMP/OMB/NIST text current to 2026-06; re-verify currency (and the active 20x RFCs) before an authorization-adjacent answer.
This skill encodes the FedRAMP program and is not authorization or legal advice. Verify outputs against the cited sources; the ATO is the authorizing official's decision.
10. References & Citation Manifest
In-body citations use the form [LABEL §N] and resolve to this manifest. The §N suffix points to the cited subsection (e.g., [FEDRAMP-ACT-2022 §3610] is the FedRAMP Board provision). Retired source github.com/GSA/fedramp-automation (404) is replaced by the OSCAL-Foundation mirror; the fedramp.gov .xlsx workbook serves an empty stub and is not cited.
11. Routing
This is a router. Load chunks based on the user's intent.
| Intent / trigger | File to load |
|---|
| "what is FedRAMP" / the 2022 Act / the FedRAMP Board / JAB retired / M-24-15 / who authorizes | chunks/01-fedramp-and-governance.md |
| "which baseline" / categorize / FIPS 199 / impact level / how many controls / 800-53 relationship | chunks/02-impact-levels-and-baselines.md |
| "authorization path" / Agency ATO / presumption of adequacy / multi-agency / FedRAMP Ready / readiness | chunks/03-authorization-paths.md |
| "the package" / SSP / SAP / SAR / POA&M / what to submit | chunks/04-the-authorization-package.md |
| "3PAO" / A2LA / ISO 17020 / control testing / sampling / inheritance / leveraging | chunks/05-assessment-and-inheritance.md |
| "continuous monitoring" / ConMon / monthly / scan frequency / remediation SLA | chunks/06-continuous-monitoring.md |
| "POA&M" / deviation request / false positive / risk adjustment / operational requirement / re-auth | chunks/07-poam-and-risk.md |
| "FedRAMP 20x" / KSIs / machine-readable packages / OSCAL / modernization | chunks/08-fedramp-20x-and-modernization.md |
| CSP pursuing Moderate via Agency Authorization / SaaS context | industries/saas-technology.md |
| Sponsoring agency / authorizing official / leveraging / presumption of adequacy context | industries/public-sector.md |
| Fintech / gov-financial SaaS / High baseline context | industries/financial-services.md |
| Health-tech CSP / FedRAMP + HIPAA overlap context | industries/healthcare.md |
| Worked example: SaaS FedRAMP Moderate via Agency Authorization | use-cases/uc-01-moderate-agency-ato.md |
| Worked example: cloud vendor LI-SaaS readiness | use-cases/uc-02-li-saas-readiness.md |
| Worked example: Big-4 3PAO assessment of a Moderate CSP | use-cases/uc-03-third-party-assessment.md |
