FedBiz’5 | Episode 7: What is a Capability Statement?

What is a Capability Statement?

Welcome to our podcast FedBiz 5, where you get informed, get connected and get results.  In our last episode we discussed, “DSBS Incomplete – Don’t get excluded from government contracting for errors and omissions in your registration.”

In this episode we are discussing the importance of your Capability Statement, and what it should include as your ‘government resume’. 

A Capability Statement should be a concise, aesthetically pleasing, one-page document that speaks to your business’s competencies.

Its purpose is to provide specific information that will convince potential customers, government agencies, to do business with you. When written well, a Capability Statement will help differentiate your business from others.

Below are the six key areas to include in a successful and effective capability statement:

1. Capability Narrative – A brief ‘About Us’ description.  This is a short, direct, and concise general overview of your company without delving too much into your products and/or services.

2. Core Competencies – Listing of products and/or services that speak to the agency you are trying to do business with.  Core competencies do not need to include everything about your business, and what you are able to do. In fact, they should focus on the needs of your audience.

Use bullet points and short statements of your expertise as it relates to your target audience. In addition, use high-quality images to showcase your products and/or services.  Organization and aesthetics are important.

3. Differentiators – Why should the government choose you to do business with you over your competition?  List the unique benefits of your products and/or services that set you apart from your competition. How is your business best suited for the needs of the targeted government agency?  A clear statement that relates to specific needs of the agency can help the buyer understand why they should choose you over everyone else.

4. Past Performance – List your previous customers, either commercial entities or government agencies, that you have done similar projects for previously. You should include details such as the date, location, and value of the award so the reader knows the types of projects you are capable of handling.

5. Company Snapshot – List pertinent company details including primary contact information, DUNS #, CAGE Code, set-aside eligibility, and socio-economic statuses such as WOSB, SDVOSB/VOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, and other applicable designations. 

Regarding contact information, your email URL and your website are very important.  You may also include a QR Code that can be scanned to provide additional information. A unique email address (not a Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL, Gmail address, which can often be blocked by government agencies) and a professional website show your business has legitimate commercial visibility.

6. NAICS and PSC Codes – List your industry codes demonstrating your capabilities specific to the government agencies you are trying to work with.  It is important not to list too many codes, which can make you seems like a jack-of-all-trades, but master of none.  Do not confuse the contracting official.  Do your research to pinpoint the codes that make the most sense to your target agency for the products and/or services you offer.

Your next step is to market your business.  Do the buyers know who you are?  Do you know how to find them?

FedBiz fulfillment team takes the time to understand the client’s business and asks questions to pull information from the client to ensure their Capability Statement is the best presentation of their business. 

FedBiz Access also offers marketing packages to targeted buyers in the federal government with its Federal Connections Package and on the state, local, and education market with its Local Connections Package.

This podcast is sponsored by FedBiz Access – https://fedbizaccess.com.  For government contracting made simple, call (888) 299-4498.