Capability Statement
A capability statement is a one-page document that summarizes what your company does, who you've worked for, and why you're qualified for the work. It's the contractor's version of a résumé — the first thing a general contractor, agency, or program manager looks at when deciding whether to engage you.
Most capability statements cover the same core sections:
- Company overview — Legal name, location, years in business, number of employees, and the trades or services you perform.
- Core competencies — The specific work you do well (mechanical, drywall, concrete, electrical, HVAC, etc.).
- Differentiators — What sets you apart from other subcontractors in your tier: safety record, bonding capacity, certified workforce, proprietary process.
- Past performance — 3–5 relevant projects with the client name, contract value, and scope. Public work and named GC relationships carry the most weight.
- Certifications and registrations — DBE, MBE, WBE, SBE, NAICS codes, SAM registration, union affiliation, state licensing.
- Contact information — Name, phone, email, and website. Easy to find, current.
GCs and program managers ask for capability statements during:
- RFP and RFQ responses — Many solicitations require one as a standard submission package.
- Prequalification processes — GCs managing large projects vet subs before inviting them to bid. A capability statement gets you on the list.
- DBE/MBE outreach programs — Supplier diversity and small business outreach events are built around capability statement exchange.
- Bonding and surety introductions — Surety agents and bonding companies review your statement as a starting point before requesting financials.
- New GC relationships — Before a GC will give you a bid package, they want to know you can deliver.
A weak capability statement is one that's vague, outdated, or formatted like a brochure. Specific numbers beat general claims every time. "Completed $2.4M in MEP work on three Detroit multifamily projects" is far stronger than "experienced in residential and commercial construction."
Keep it one page. If it runs two pages, it will not get read.
Update it at least once a year. A document listing projects from 2018 signals that your pipeline has stalled.
Capability statements are only as strong as the performance data behind them. Stratum tracks your project history, revenue by trade, and completed contract values — the numbers that turn a generic one-pager into a compelling pitch. When you're pulling together a new statement or updating an old one, your actual project record is already in the platform.