Capability statement

What goes in a capability statement?

New York State's Empire State Development fact sheet names five parts: core competencies, past performance, differentiators, company data and contact information. Its 2024 guide adds that you should list three to five past customers, government customers first, and label the page "Capability statement" at the top.

In the US, the company data block carries the identifiers buyers search on. APEX Accelerator Northern California lists the CAGE code, the UEI, registrations and certifications, and the relevant NAICS or UNSPSC codes. In the UK there is no fixed list, so include what a public buyer checks: company number, accreditations such as Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO 27001, and any framework you are on.

How long should a capability statement be?

One page is the common rule in the US, and two at most. UK buyers set the length notice by notice. A Ministry of Defence market engagement notice for a police records system, listed on Bidstats asked for a capability statement of up to 500 words explaining the supplier's interest. Essex County Council asked roofing contractors for a capability statement and a portfolio of similar past projects, because the buildings were Grade I listed.

Do UK public buyers use capability statements?

Yes, though less formally than US agencies. On 13 November 2026, Bidstats listed 146 UK notices over the previous 13 months that mentioned a capability statement. The Home Office also uses the term outside procurement: it asks organisations applying to be a lead sponsor for refugees for a capability statement covering their experience, resources, policies and how they monitor the work. Always follow the notice: its headings and word limit replace any template.

What does a capability statement look like for an IT company?

This sample layout is for an MSP bidding for public-sector IT support. Swap the bracketed parts for your own details.

Section	Sample content
Core competencies	Managed IT support for 20 to 500 users, Microsoft 365, endpoint security, backup and recovery, Cyber Essentials support
Past performance	[Three to five clients, public sector first, with the scope, size and dates of each contract]
Differentiators	[Accreditations held, average response time from your PSA, local engineers, security clearances if any]
Company data	[Company number, VAT number, accreditations, frameworks you are on]
Contact	[Named contact, direct phone, email, website]

Write a version for each buyer or sector. APEX NorCal recommends several versions "to target different agencies or opportunities, just as you would a resume". If you have little public-sector work, the 2024 New York guide says private customers are acceptable as long as the work is similar. APEX Alaska's handout also says not to use an agency's logo without its permission.

Where Yori fits

For the statement itself, Yori, the AI marketing assistant for MSPs and resellers, has a Capability Document Service. It writes structured capability documents, including capability statements, from your Brand Profile, so your services, sectors and proof are already in the draft. It does not know your company number, accreditations or framework listings unless you add them, and it cannot see the buyer's notice unless you upload it. Upload the notice, check the draft against its headings and word limit, and edit it in Canvas before you submit.

Pro is £49 a month with 25 monthly credits. The free trial has 25 one-time credits and needs no card. Start the free trial and run the Capability Document Service on the next public-sector notice you plan to answer.