Applicable Requirement (CAP – Pre-Assessment Activities): Before the assessment, the team must confirm the assessment scope (systems, assets, CUI boundaries, and relevant environments). Without scoping, evidence identification and collection cannot be validated.

Why A is Correct: Identifying scope is the foundational requirement in the pre-assessment stage, as defined in the CMMC Assessment Process. Scope determines what systems, people, and assets are included in evidence collection.

Why Other Options Are Insufficient:

B: Verification of evidence occurs during assessment, not pre-assessment readiness.

C: Observations are recorded during on-site assessment, not beforehand.

D: Interview selection happens during evidence collection, after scope confirmation.

References (CCA Official Sources):

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v1.0 — Pre-Assessment Phase

CMMC Assessment Guide – Level 2, Pre-Assessment Readiness Activities