Capability Statement Template and Examples for Small Businesses

By Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, Founder and Lead Strategist, Global Economic Research Consulting (GERC)

A capability statement is a one-page summary of what your business does, what you have done, and how a buyer can contract with you. Contracting officers, small business specialists and prime contractors use it to decide in seconds whether to call you. Here is a simple template you can follow.

Want a ready-made template? Get our professional capability statement template ($29): an executive one-page design in four colour versions, with a completion guide and a finished sample. Or get the 12-template bundle ($59) with construction and public works, professional services and general versions. Editable in Word and Google Docs, instant download.

The template: five sections on one page

1. Header

Business name, logo, and a one-line description of what you do. Add the agency or buyer’s name if you tailor it.

2. Core competencies

Four to six short bullets naming the services or products you deliver, in the buyer’s language. Example: “Benefit-cost analysis for USDOT and FEMA grant applications.”

3. Past performance

Three to five projects or clients, each with the buyer, a one-line description and results. Federal, state, local and commercial work all count. If you are new, use relevant commercial work or your team’s experience.

4. Differentiators

Two or three reasons to choose you over similar firms. Be specific: certifications, speed, local presence, specialised expertise. Avoid vague claims such as “best in class”.

5. Company data

• UEI and CAGE code
• NAICS codes (and PSC codes if relevant)
• Certifications, such as SB, SB-PW, DVBE, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB or DBE
• Contract vehicles, if you hold any
• Point of contact: name, phone, email and website

Example: company data block

Global Economic Research Consulting · Woman-owned · California SB (Micro) and SB-PW, Cert. ID 2045992 · CAGE 11SD2 · NAICS 541611, 541618, 541690 · info@gercconsulting.com · (909) 454-7076

See GERC’s full capability statement for a complete example.

Common mistakes

• More than one page, or dense paragraphs instead of bullets
• Missing UEI, CAGE or NAICS codes
• Generic competencies that do not match what the buyer purchases
• No contact information, or a personal email address
• Out-of-date certifications or past performance

Make it work harder

• Publish the same information as text on your website, not only as a PDF, so search engines and AI tools can read it.
• Keep a general version and tailor a copy for each agency or prime.
• Update it every time you win work or add a certification.

Want a professional version? See our capability statement writing service.

Want a ready-made template? Get our professional capability statement template ($29): an executive one-page design in four colour versions, with a completion guide and a finished sample. Or get the 12-template bundle ($59) with construction and public works, professional services and general versions. Editable in Word and Google Docs, instant download.

---

About the author

Dr. Shirley Ayangbah is the founder of Global Economic Research Consulting, a woman-owned, California-certified Small Business (Micro) and SB-PW firm in San Bernardino (Certification ID 2045992; CAGE 11SD2). She holds a PhD in International Economic and Financial Law and an MA in Economics. Call (909) 454-7076 or book a consultation.