The FedRAMP Marketplace is the official public list of cloud products that have achieved, or are working toward, FedRAMP authorization for use by US federal agencies. Agencies use it to find services they can adopt, and vendors use a listing to show they are serious about the federal market. This guide explains what the marketplace shows, what each designation means, how agencies use it and the steps to get your product listed.
Related guides: FedRAMP levels and baselines · FedRAMP authorization checklist · FedRAMP for startups · Best FedRAMP compliance software
Key takeaways
- The FedRAMP Marketplace lives at marketplace.fedramp.gov and is run by the FedRAMP Program Management Office.
- Cloud services appear with one of three designations: FedRAMP Ready, FedRAMP In Process or FedRAMP Authorized.
- Listings show the impact level, the authorizing agency, the 3PAO and how many agencies reuse the authorization.
- You cannot simply sign up. A listing follows a readiness assessment or an agency sponsorship.
What is the FedRAMP Marketplace?
FedRAMP, the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, standardizes how federal agencies assess and authorize cloud services. The marketplace is its public directory. It lists cloud service offerings (CSOs), the Third Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs) recognized to assess them, and the agencies using FedRAMP services. Anyone can search it without an account.
What the designations mean
| Designation | What it means | How a product gets it |
|---|---|---|
| FedRAMP Ready | A 3PAO has confirmed the service is likely to achieve authorization | A Readiness Assessment Report (RAR) reviewed by the FedRAMP PMO |
| FedRAMP In Process | The vendor is actively working toward authorization with an agency | A sponsoring agency confirms it is working with the vendor |
| FedRAMP Authorized | The service has an authorization to operate and can be reused by other agencies | A full security assessment by a 3PAO and agency authorization |
The Ready designation is optional, but it helps a vendor without a sponsor show credibility to agencies. FedRAMP has also been introducing FedRAMP 20x, a faster, more automated path, in phases, so check the current program guidance before you plan.
What a marketplace listing shows
- Service name, vendor and a short description
- Service model: SaaS, PaaS or IaaS
- Impact level: Low, LI-SaaS, Moderate or High
- Designation and the date it was reached
- Authorizing or sponsoring agency
- The 3PAO that performed the assessment
- The number of agencies reusing the authorization
The "agencies using" count matters to buyers. A service already used by several agencies is easier to approve again, because the security package already exists.
How agencies use the marketplace
Agency teams search the marketplace by service type and impact level to see which products are already authorized for the data they plan to store. If a product is authorized at the right level, the agency can review the existing security package and issue its own authorization faster than starting from scratch. If it is In Process, they can see which agency is sponsoring it and when authorization is expected.
How to get your product on the FedRAMP Marketplace
- Choose your impact level with a FIPS 199 categorization of the data agencies will store. See FedRAMP levels and baselines.
- Prepare the system: define the authorization boundary, implement the NIST SP 800-53 baseline controls and write the System Security Plan.
- Optional readiness path: hire a 3PAO for a Readiness Assessment Report. If the PMO accepts it, you are listed as FedRAMP Ready.
- Find an agency sponsor. With a sponsor committed, you can be listed as FedRAMP In Process.
- Complete the full assessment: the 3PAO tests your controls and writes the Security Assessment Report.
- Agency authorization: the agency reviews the package and grants an authorization to operate. Your listing changes to FedRAMP Authorized.
- Continuous monitoring: monthly scans, POA&M updates and annual assessments keep the listing current.
Common mistakes
- Treating the Ready designation as an authorization. Agencies still need to authorize the service.
- Choosing a lower impact level than agencies need, which forces a second effort later.
- Starting without an agency sponsor in sight, which can leave a product waiting for years.
- Underestimating continuous monitoring, which never stops after authorization.
FedRAMP Ready vs In Process vs Authorized
| Ready | In Process | Authorized | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs an agency sponsor | No | Yes | Yes |
| Assessment | Readiness assessment by a 3PAO | Full assessment under way | Full assessment complete |
| Agencies can use it for federal data | Not yet | Not yet | Yes |
| What it tells buyers | The service is likely to pass | An agency is invested in it | It is approved and can be reused |
| Typical next step | Find a sponsor | Finish the assessment | Grow agency reuse through continuous monitoring |
How to search the FedRAMP Marketplace
- Open marketplace.fedramp.gov and choose Products.
- Filter by designation, impact level and service model.
- Search by keyword for the type of service, such as "learning management" or "ticketing".
- Open a listing to see the authorizing agency, the 3PAO and agencies using it.
- Use the contact details on the listing to reach the vendor or ask an agency already using it about its experience.
Agency buyers use the same filters to build shortlists, so a listing with a clear description, the right impact level and recent activity gets far more attention than a bare entry.
How long a marketplace listing takes
A Readiness Assessment Report can take a few months to prepare if your controls are mostly in place. Moving from In Process to Authorized at the Moderate baseline commonly takes a year or more, depending on how ready the system is, the 3PAO schedule and agency review. Planning for continuous monitoring from the start avoids delays after authorization.
Is a FedRAMP Marketplace listing worth it?
For a company that sells to federal agencies, yes. The marketplace is where agency security teams start, and a listing signals commitment to procurement teams. For a company with no federal pipeline, the cost and time are rarely justified. Start by confirming an agency sponsor and the impact level it needs.
How SecureSlate helps
SecureSlate maps your controls to FedRAMP baselines and NIST SP 800-53, reusing work from SOC 2 and ISO 27001, keeps SSP evidence organized for your 3PAO and tracks continuous monitoring tasks and POA&Ms after you are listed.
FAQ
What is the FedRAMP Marketplace?
The official directory of cloud services that are FedRAMP Ready, In Process or Authorized, along with recognized 3PAOs and agencies using FedRAMP services.
How do I get my product on the FedRAMP Marketplace?
Either complete a 3PAO readiness assessment accepted by the PMO to be listed as Ready, or secure an agency sponsor to be listed as In Process, then complete the full assessment to become Authorized.
Does FedRAMP Ready mean a product is authorized?
No. Ready means a 3PAO found the service likely to achieve authorization. Agencies still need to authorize it before using it for federal data.
Is the FedRAMP Marketplace free to search?
Yes. Anyone can search the marketplace without an account.
What does FedRAMP High on the marketplace mean?
It means the service is authorized, or working toward authorization, at the High impact baseline, for data where a breach could have severe or catastrophic effects.
How long does a FedRAMP Ready designation last?
FedRAMP Ready is based on a point-in-time readiness assessment, so it does not last indefinitely. Check the current PMO guidance for how long it stays valid before a new assessment is needed.
Can a startup get listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace?
Yes. Startups can pursue the Ready designation or find an agency sponsor. A focused authorization boundary and an early decision on impact level make it more achievable.
What are 3PAOs on the FedRAMP Marketplace?
Third Party Assessment Organizations recognized by FedRAMP to perform readiness and full security assessments. The marketplace lists them so vendors can choose one.
Do state governments use the FedRAMP Marketplace?
Some do as a reference, but many states use GovRAMP, a separate program modeled on FedRAMP, for state and local government buyers.
Can a product lose its FedRAMP Marketplace listing?
Yes. Listings can be removed or changed if a vendor stops continuous monitoring, an agency withdraws sponsorship or an authorization is revoked. Keeping up with monthly deliverables protects the listing.
Disclaimer (legal note)
General information only, not legal, audit, or attestation advice. Requirements depend on your contracts, system boundary, and assessor guidance.
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