CAPABILITY STATEMENTS

101

Presented by the Central Ohio Minority Business Association

and the Columbus Minority Business Assistance Center,

a program of the Ohio Development Services Agency

WHAT IS A CAPABILITY

STATEMENT?!?

CAPABILITY STATEMENTSCAPABILITY STATEMENTS

Defined as:“A brief outline of a company that is trying to contract work with a government office. This statement describes the company, its capabilities and its expertise.”1

Simply stated:

Source: 1 - Definition of a Capability Statement | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6883889_definition-capability-statement.html#ixzz2Ik0OCSyW

CAPABILITY STATEMENTSCAPABILITY STATEMENTS

At most a 1-2 page document, serving as marketing tool for your Company

Useful when trying to contract with the Government and other Businesses.

Should include:Who you are + contact information All appropriate codes – NAICS, SIC, UNSPSC What you sell + your specialtyYour capabilities and qualifications

WHY DO YOU WHY DO YOU NEED A NEED A

CAPABILITY CAPABILITY STATEMENT?!STATEMENT?!

??

WHY YOU NEED A CS NOW!WHY YOU NEED A CS NOW!

It’s a physical Elevator Pitch.Relieves the pressure of trying to “get

it all in.”Great for networking events,

matchmakers, sales calls, and can be posted to your web site.

Can be tailored to suit specific audiences Capability Statements come in all forms:HTML/Web Pages, Word Documents, PDFs,

and even self-running CDs.

USES OF A CAPABILITY STATEMENT

To provide information about your company quickly

To register for some government procurement sites: Many government agencies require a Capabilities Statement be submitted with bids.

Prime contractors can require subcontractors to submit capabilities statements before contracting with them.

As a door opener for cold calls.

A CAPABILITY A CAPABILITY STATEMENT, STATEMENT,

PARTSPARTS WHOLEWHOLE

Company Overview (or narrative):A brief company history, and An overview of your products/services

Differentiators (or Key Personnel):Experience of:

Owner/CEO Chief sales person Staff

Core Competencies (or Capabilities):List all products and services you offerList your specific services first, you want to

show them why your company is the one for the job

Company Data:Any applicable codes for your businessAny licenses (and their numbers) you may

holdCompany Business Structure

Past Performance (Customers):List major customers that you’re proud of

(and that are proud of you!)List major projects that you’ve completed

recently Contact:

List the best person to contact when interested in procuring your services. Make sure the information is valid and effective.

MAKE YOUR STATEMENT POP!MAKE YOUR STATEMENT POP!

When giving out your capability statement, you want to make it stand out from the crowd. Here are some tips:Use glossy/thicker paperPresent a seamless marketing profile:

Same colors on all letterhead, business cards, web sites and capability statement

Use graphicsBe creative!Be sure to tailor your Statement for specific uses.

RESOURCES

Small Business Federal Government Contracting: Your Capability Statement (CAPE) for Small Business Federal Government Contracting

Check Ohio First Resources

Northeast Ohio PTAC: Writing a Winning Capabilities Statement

QUESTIONS?!?

CAPABILITY STATEMENTS 101

Presented by the Central Ohio Minority Business Association

and the Columbus Minority Business Assistance Center,

a program of the Ohio Development Services Agency

Have questions? Need assistance?!?Contact:

Jennifer Averi Frost, DirectorColumbus Minority Business Assistance

Center614-252-8005

jfrost@comba.com