How to Create a Government Contracting Capability Statement

Make it relevant to one conversation

A capability statement is a concise business introduction, commonly prepared as a one-page document. It helps an agency small business specialist or potential prime understand what you deliver and why a follow-up conversation might make sense. It is not a proposal or proof of contract eligibility.

Start with a general version, then tailor the emphasis to the organization you are approaching. A simulation customer, a city IT office, and a manufacturer seeking a cybersecurity subcontractor may need different evidence from the same company.

What to include

• Core competencies: A short list of specific services or products expressed in buyer language.
• Differentiators: Useful, substantiated distinctions such as a relevant method, product feature, or delivery experience.
• Past performance or relevant experience: Brief examples with scope and results you are authorized to disclose. Clearly distinguish company work from an individual's previous employment.
• Company information: Legal name, location, relevant NAICS codes, and validated UEI or CAGE where applicable.
• Business status: Accurate small-business representations and current certifications you actually hold.
• Contact information: A named contact, business email, phone number, and website.

Leave tax identifiers, banking information, personal clearance details, proprietary customer information, and unsupported certifications out of the public document.

Turn claims into evidence

Instead of saying you are innovative, explain what your solution changes. Instead of listing every technology you have heard of, identify what you have delivered and under what conditions. Describe commercial work honestly; do not relabel it as federal past performance.

If you are a new company, relevant commercial projects or founder experience can help explain capability. They should remain clearly labeled and do not substitute automatically for the specific past-performance evidence a solicitation requests.

Before you send it

1. 01Read the recipient's mission and the relevant opportunity, if there is one.
2. 02Put the most relevant competencies near the top.
3. 03Check identifiers, certifications, links, and contact details.
4. 04Remove vague superlatives and unapproved customer references.
5. 05Export a readable PDF and check that it works on a phone.
6. 06Write a short introduction explaining the potential fit and one reasonable next step.

Use the editable template below as an outline. Its placeholders are prompts, not suggested credentials. A credible capability statement starts a useful conversation; it cannot guarantee an introduction, consideration, or a contract.