The specialists in CIRAS’ Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) exist to help Iowa businesses understand what it takes to sell to the government.
One of the key things necessary to succeed in to government contracting is a capability statement. A good one includes the following information:
Title Heading—Include your company name, logo, and contact information with a specific person’s name, phone, and e-mail.
Core Competencies—Craft a short introduction statement relating your company’s core abilities to the government agency’s specific needs. Follow it up with keyword-heavy bullet points:
- Use short sentences; no long paragraphs.
- Keep it short; preferably one side of one page.
- Create a new statement for each agency, prime, or teaming opportunity.
Past Performance—List past customers for whom you have done similar work. Prioritize by related agency, then all federal, then other government, and lastly commercial contracts. If a past project doesn’t relate to the targeted government agency’s needs, don’t list it.
Differentiators—Identify what makes your business different from competitors and how that would benefit the targeted agency.
Company Data—Give a very brief company description detailing company size, years in business, special accreditations, etc.
List Specific Pertinent Codes and Data
- DUNS, CAGE, and NAICS codes
- Socioeconomic certifications, such as 8(a), HUB Zone, SDVOB, WOSB
- Whether or not you accept credit and purchase cards
Close the statement at the very bottom of the page with your logo, address, phone numbers (voice, mobile, and fax), e-mail, and website.
CIRAS’ Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) can assist you with this or any other government contracting issue. Contact Andy Alexander at andyalex@iastate.edu or 402-547-0333. Or join our LinkedIn group at http//linkd.in1lCgNWF.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2015 edition of CIRAS News. You can find the rest of this issue and more of CIRAS News on our website.