Its worthwhile to consider hiring a graphic designer to develop an attractive design, but if your budget is limited you can utilize and modify templates. They key to great differentiators is identifying your clients pain points. How to Write a Capability Statement: Guide & Sample for Contractors If you're tasked with writing your company's capability statement but need guidance or don't have the time or resources, worry not! Even these templates, however, should be modified to include your logo, as well as your branded fonts and color palette. Where can I find a capability statement template? It should address your company's strengths and how they will support your customers providing solutions and helping them be successful. When composing a Capability Statement, use the following section labels: Core Competencies, Past Performance, and Differentiators. Your competitors will not. While I'm in a different business, this process can be used, in part, by new suppliers to our company. The short version can be used for situations such as networking events, marketing emails, or uploading to pre-qualification websites. Capability Statement: What is is and why you should have one It can be used to compare capabilities with other companies in the industry, or it can be used to set internal benchmarks against which you can measure your own performance. What is a capability statement? Below are some examples of international development capability statements that stood out to us. As seen from the above, there are a couple of components youd need to take into consideration to craft a successful capability statement. Government contracting professionals and potential teaming partners see hundreds of these things, and if you can make yours stand out from the crowd, it will increase your chances of it being recalled at a later time. You'll probably know if your business needs one. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Other key pieces of information you should include are: Always include your DUNS number and CAGE code because it shows you are ready for government contract work. and add you to a list of possible sources. The agencys website will have mission statements and reports regarding the work they are doing that your project is a part of. Government contracting vehicles like the GSA Schedule are essentially catalogs, and earning a spot on them is a big deal. Whether for design, to better understand how information can be organized and conveyed, or for a number of other reasons, these sample capability statements should give a foundation for you to start your own: However, making your own from scratch can be complicated (and difficult if youre not a graphic designer). It never hurts! Now that you know the basic elements every capability statement needs to include, you can begin the design process of laying out this information in a visually appealing manner. You should have a general capabilities statement that you can hand out at trade shows, conferences and leave at a customer's office. Make sure its updated and client-focused. If you are not a dab hand at using computer graphics and layout programs, there are innumerable options available. Your capability statement is like a personal curriculum vitae (CV) or resume for your organization. To that end, tailoring your Capability Statement specifically to the agency or prime contractor youre attempting to win work from is an excellent way to showcase how different your company is from everyone who sent out a general statement. Your capability statement should be visually appealing and well-branded. So, what do you need to have in your Capability Statement? Her company, Mining For Business, has developed a 3 step program designed to help SMEs and their owners through the maze of: Decode the buyer understand where you fit in the supply chain, and what the larger company requirements are. Join now through RocketGov and you can get 14 days FREE! Ostensible Subcontractor Rule Similar to a resume for finding a job, you can create a one size fits all version that stays the same for every application you send it with. 01. The 2 main reasons for having a capability statement are: The decision makers at these prospective clients will look closely at your capability statement. Use the unique business capability statement template for your company growth. What is a capability statement? Depending on what you want to use it for, it can vary from a single-page summary to an extensive, multi-page document. Know your audience and what they are seeking. capability statement is a communication tool to show your clients, at-a-glance, what your business is and what you can do for them. Federal Contracting Fixed: Sorry, No Manipulations With Clipboard Allowed. Differentiators: This section is one where you can make your organization sparkle! Unfortunately, it's not always easy to identify the right university partner from an institution's website or promotional publications. Use this version to tailor your story to a particular prospective client, or for a particular tender you are writing. 1 Comment Our Capability Statement The various reasons for having a Capability Statement include: Many government agencies require that a Capability Statement be submitted with bids/proposals; Prime contractors may require subcontractors to provide one before entering into a Teaming Agreement or otherwise agreeing to work with the subcontractor; RocketGovs favorite item of value is a guide to the 5 Things to Ask [your industry] Bidders. This guide will include the questions to ask and why they are important for this type of project. That way, youll not only have a good idea of the capabilities that competitors have but also how theyre presenting that information. In its simplest form, a capability statement is a promotional or marketing statement about your business and its capabilities and skills that advertises who you are and what you do. How quickly and concisely could you explain what your business does or, more importantly, what you can do for clients? Carter's 10 Cs of Supplier Evaluation - Mind Tools You need a clear and concise capability statement you can readily share, not just with government folks but with potential teaming partners as well. To do so, you can consider which core capabilities are of most value to the client. NAICS (all) Do not include code descriptions, just use the numbers, since nobody reads the descriptions, and the numbers are mostly for searches (which are done by number, not description). SBA OHA Decisions August 2017 These will describe one of the past performances jobs in more depth so the agency can see exactly how you handled a project just like theirs. Next up, the core competencies section expands on what your company does well. A Capability Statement is a document that describes the quality and performance standards of a product or service. Make sure to feature your logo and branded color palette along with any images or graphics that describe your work. Weve also provided sample templates and examples to get you started creating your own capability statement. Is Yours a Living Document? Use the form below to sign up. Write a Capability Statement | HHS.gov 2023 Small Business Development Corporation. First, keep it short. This isnt your mission statement or reason for doing business, but a few high level bullet points that effectively communicates what you do best as a business. As a brief review, here are those sections again: Core Competencies Past Performance Differentiators Company Information Most importantly, after you create the hard copy you will want to make it digitally available. This can be a confusing exercise for contractors because theyve become so familiar with the Capability Statements as a marketing document. Often the most time-consuming component of capability statement writing, this is where you discuss what sets you apart from competitors. When youre creating a capability statement, there are two primary routes you can take. Capability statement design template is fully editable and crafted by experts. Employment What sections should I include in a Capability Statement? Professional graphic design is always best for a high-profile document like a capability statement, but, to get you started, we have created two basic. Lets answer that question by describing why a government capability statement is important, reviewing everything that should be included, and guiding you through the creation of your very own dynamic capability statement. October 2016 Or consider our capability statement design service which is offered as part of our Starter GovShop subscription. For example, if: If you're not confident that you have the right internal skills to create a high-quality document, consider engaging a: Read more about using professional marketing services. Joint Ventures This is a document that defines the capabilities, achievements and skills of your business. If you dont have one set up, check out our trusted resources for some opportunities to get one started. write in the tone of voice that matches your business brand. One size doesnt fit all; the information you include will depend on the complexity of your business, your target audience and where you intend to use the statement. The first benefit is that you will already have answers to those five questions. Your call to action should move the reader down your sales funnel. It informs potential clients about what your company does and what separates you from your competitors. Similarly, you may have more than one core capability that youd like to focus on. Ask for constructive feedback from your business contacts and customers with whom you have a good relationship. Before you write, assess how other organizations your competitors talk about themselves and their work. Adding color is fine, but limit the colors to just one or two. October 2017 What is a capability statement? For this reason, we advise clients to take the time to ensure their Capability Statement matches the requirements of their targeted . PDF Capability Statement Worksheet - Small Business Administration Using words that are in both the RFP and agency materials are great, as they show how you will complete their mission, not just their project. June 2015 Your logo and contact information somewhere at the top also makes the capability statement feel more professional. The importance of a proper capability statement cannot be stressed enough. In the process-driven sales cycle of public procurement, information like whether your business has a particular. While your statement should be tailored for every opportunity, having a baseline capability statement on hand will save you time as you develop proposals. The answer to this question depends upon several factors. A Capability Statement should include the following: It also shows that you are familiar with the government contracting process. Not all of these transactions will lead to business in fact, few of them will but exactly zero of them will convert if you dont have a good capability statement. While you should have a templated capability statement as a base, youll want to ensure that youre tailoring your capability statement for certain clients and tender processes. The majority of clients who contact TargetGov to develop their Capability Statement are looking for a General Capability Statement. Something they could send to any agency or prime contractor at any time. 3 Steps for Tailoring Your Capability Statement - TargetGov on hand so youre able to use it for your business as soon as the need arises. Is there something about your people that give them an advantage to your competition? This part should be easy, as its simply the company information that will be used to identify and contact your business. Or they may see from your capabilities that you could satisfy a contract and send you a formal Request for Information or Sources Sought notice in hopes that youll participate in a future competition. SIGN UP FOR THE WORK WITH USAID NEWSLETTER. track record the evidence of your achievements. How is your company best suited to the needs of this agency? SDVOSB What to Include in Your Successful Capability Statement. Past Performance (and Partnerships): In this section, you should list relevant experience on related activities. Make sure that you're also having a good balance of information. If youre bidding on a state or local contract, include your NIGP codes as well. Your capability statement should illustrate how your organization could bring unique skills and abilities to an activity, or how you could complement the skills and abilities of a potential prime partner. Here are some general guidelines to follow when creating your government capability statement. Use the business name that corresponds to your SAM.gov registration (Havent done this yet? A good capability statement provides the important information a contract officer needs to make a decision. Across the top third of the page is Capability Statement in bold on a bright blue background to make the words stand out and divide the page into pieces which breaks up the space. 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If you want to convey information, you need to do it in very bite-sized chunks. You want that Capability Statement to make it clear that not only can you do the work, but you can do the specific work being asked for along with a list of reasons why, with proof that you have done it before. This version will be different for just about every opportunity youre trying to procure because it will speak specifically to that opportunity, that agency, or that prime contractor. hbspt.forms.create({ Whether you still need to complete your SAM registration or are ready to create (or revamp) your capability statement, FAMRs team of federal marketplace experts can help you through the process. Similar to a resume for finding a job, you can create a one size fits all version that stays the same for every application you send it with. You may have more than that, but your capability statement needs to be tailored to the project at hand. Basically, what you need to convey in your Capability Statement is four things: What I have included in this article are the elements that a larger organisation particularly a resources company or a Government Department would be looking for on your long Capability Statement. For almost all resource industry companies these days, supplying a Capability Statement is a must-do. Tags: agency, branding, Capabilities, Capability Statement, federal, Federal Agencies, Federal Government, Government Marketing, Prime Contractor, Professional, Sources Sought Notice, Your email address will not be published. Similarly, you may have more than one core capability that youd like to focus on. However, Capability Statements must be tailored to your audience: the government buyer or prime contractor. Explaining the features and benefits of your business that will help solve customers problems. However, the General Capability Statement has limited uses, it isn't going to be as effective as a . Click to reveal You need to list your important government codes such as: You can also list awards or accomplishments if you have space. These will provide powerful social proof. Actual quotes from past customers and clients that related to the type of work you are bidding on. What you are looking for is a Graphic Designer who is able to design a brochure for you. To effectively show what your business does and how it stands out from other businesses, you'll need information from your: Other sources of information include your own knowledge and experience, as well as those of your employees, advisers and customers. A capability statement outlines what you can offer potential clients and provides the essential details to help them decide whether to do business with you. Affiliation Subcontracting Find words that stand out, are repeated, or related directly to your proposal. If you have any transactional history or record of prior performance for any client, list it here so interested parties will regard you as a viable business entity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Use these tools to help produce winning Capability Statements. showcase your business in a professional manner and stand out from the competition. So theyre more than just a business card; a capability statement is more like a cover letter inviting additional consideration of your company. DFARS To do that successfully, you need to get into the minds of the government contracting officers that will be reviewing your documents and determine what they are looking for. Another differentiator is that we provide a two-person team to write and double-check the accuracy of the work. Organizations may apply for USAID funds without registering on this site. March 2016 Search government contracting vehicles by keyword. At least one testimonial should be in the past performances section on the front page. 02. Call your document a capability statement. The contract officers will be looking for that document. The more text you write, the less they will read. those in the construction, logistics or consultancy industries) will need a formal capability statement. Compensation As the name suggests, a capability statement is a document that shows what your business is able to do and deliver. Some companies will offer it as a downloadable on their website, but a better alternative is to actually create a digital version that is searchable for government contracting professionals and prospective teaming partners. A capability statement is a must-have tool for any business in the construction and engineering sectors. But the best call to action is to actually provide the contract officers something of value to them. If you are a small disadvantaged business that qualifies under one of. A Capability Statement is a document that shows your potential client exactly what goods and services you are capable of providing to them your Capabilities. A basic capability statement (such as one to market your business) could include: For more guidance on how to complete a capability statement, as well as a do-it-yourself template, download our How to Develop a Capability Statement guide. Or, you can create variations, or more targeted versions, that are. A good capability statement will typically: Most importantly, it will help you win new business customers. Should I modify my capability statement depending on whom Im meeting with? In a nutshell, its a document that can also be referred to as a capability brochure or business capability statement. Take enough time to draft your capability statement do it as a team. PDF How to develop a capability statement All of our templates are pretty editable easily using MS Word and you can change the content section and images/logo easily. Some questions to ask to identify your differentiators are: Another great way to identify differentiators is to ask past clients. You need a clear and concise capability statement you can readily share, not just with government folks but with potential teaming partners as well. While you should have a templated capability statement as a base, you'll want to ensure that you're tailoring your capability statement for certain clients and tender processes. That said, each statement will differ, depending on the organizations profile and intended audience. How To Create A Killer Capability Statement To do so, you can consider which core capabilities are of most value to the client. PDF Creating an Effective Capability Statement - HUD.gov Commodity codes in government contracting include the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), Product Service Codes (PSC), or National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP) codes. Whether for design, to better understand how information can be organized and conveyed, or for a number of other reasons, these sample capability statements should give a foundation for you to start your own: Sample 1: Sample 2: organising a meeting with your employees to work through each of the sections. Government Contractor Compliance The purpose of a capability statement is to provide an overview of your: This is more than 'about us' content. Fortunately, you will have some clues that can help. If you're just getting started, one . A more mature business might have a capability statement for every line of business they operate. February 2016 Security clearances that you or any employees hold, including facility clearances if applicable to your business, can be quite valuable. However, depending on the prospective client, you may need to use different formats for your capability statement. Capability statements help government agencies looking for qualified businesses for contracts to find ones that are good fits. Tax planning tips for a bumper year ahead, Get ahead at tax-time with these expert tips. For example, RocketGov only hires writers and designers who have experience working within government, so they already know what procurement officers are looking for. Speak to them about their needs, not about you. Your capability statement is a gateway to your organization that you can share with prospective partners, including potential prime organizations. This will make it quick and easy to: Your capability statement is a public-facing communication tool. 10 Core Concepts of a Capabilities Statement The capabilities statement is one of the most effective ways to market your company to the government. Your text needs to be brief, because contract officers do not have a lot of time to be reading long bits of text. If you need to give them more information, guide them to your website. use bullet points and tables, not just long paragraphs). To determine what you should include, ask yourself: [Your Company] provides the services [agency] requires to meet its mission of ____________ by providing _____________________________. Why Should You Tailor Your Capability Statement? - TargetGov What is a capability statement, and why does my organization need one? Or they may see from your capabilities that you could satisfy a contract and send you a formal Request for Information or Sources Sought notice in hopes that youll participate in a future competition. People you meet will learn much more about you from your short Capability Statement than they will from a business card and its bigger so its less likely to get lost or mixed up with all the other business cards they collected at the event. Events The call to action should be a short phrase, no longer than five words. 03. First know what the government contracting agency is looking for. If you follow the marketing funnel, then they will automatically receive emails about your industry, your company, and the benefits of working with you. However, it you are creating your capability statement for networking and general marketing, then create a broad sample of your capabilities. you're able to submit your document as an attachment, can use your brand design. It needs to: For a do-it-yourself option, you can take advantage of free or low-cost online graphic design applications. Treat it as a 'live' document. Heres what well cover: A clear, concise and dynamic capability statement presents highly relevant information about your business in a single, easy-to-digest page.