SDVOSB Capability Statement Guide: What to Include and How to Win
If you're a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) pursuing federal, state, or local government contracts, your capability statement is one of the most important documents you'll create. It's your one-page (sometimes two-page) marketing document that tells contracting officers who you are, what you do, and why they should award you a contract.
This guide covers what to include in an SDVOSB capability statement, how to format it for maximum impact, and how 214 Veteran Solutions approaches government contracting in San Antonio.
What Is a Capability Statement?
A capability statement is a concise document — typically one to two pages — that summarizes your company's:
- Core competencies and services
- Past performance and experience
- Differentiators (what makes you unique)
- Business data (NAICS codes, SAM registration, certifications)
- Contact information
Contracting officers use capability statements to quickly assess whether a company is a potential fit for an upcoming contract.
Required Elements of an SDVOSB Capability Statement
1. Company Overview (2–4 sentences)
Briefly describe your company: what you do, where you operate, how long you've been in business, and your SDVOSB status. Be specific — "general contractor" is vague; "veteran-owned general contractor specializing in federal facility maintenance, MEP coordination, and commercial construction in South Texas" is specific.
2. Core Competencies
List 5–8 specific services or capabilities using industry-standard language that matches government solicitation terminology. For a construction contractor:
- General Construction (NAICS 236220)
- Facility Maintenance and Repair
- MEP Coordination (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
- Site Work and Civil Construction
- Interior Renovation and Tenant Improvement
- Accessibility Modifications (ADA/Section 504)
3. Past Performance
List 3–5 completed projects with:
- Client name
- Project description (2–3 sentences)
- Contract value
- Completion date
- Point of contact (name and phone, with permission)
If you're a new SDVOSB without government past performance, use commercial projects. Relevance matters more than client type.
4. Differentiators
What makes your company different? For SDVOSB contractors:
- SDVOSB certification (sole-source eligibility under FAR 19.1405 — confirm your SBA certification status)
- Local presence and knowledge
- Specific technical expertise
- Past performance with specific agencies
- Key personnel credentials
5. Business Data
Include in a clearly formatted section:
- UEI: Your SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (TODO-JAJUAN-CONFIRM: Add your UEI)
- CAGE Code: Your Commercial and Government Entity code (TODO-JAJUAN-CONFIRM: Add your CAGE code)
- NAICS Codes: Primary and secondary NAICS codes
- SAM.gov Registration: Active registration status (TODO-JAJUAN-CONFIRM: Confirm active SAM registration)
- Certifications: SDVOSB (SBA-certified), HUBZone (if applicable), Texas HUB (if applicable)
- Bonding Capacity: Single and aggregate bonding limits
- Insurance: General liability limits (typically $1M/$2M for construction)
6. Contact Information
- Company name and logo
- Physical address
- Primary contact name and title
- Phone number, email, website URL
SDVOSB Capability Statement Format Tips
Keep It to One Page
Contracting officers receive dozens of capability statements. One page forces you to be concise and prioritize the most important information.
Tailor It for Each Opportunity
A generic capability statement is less effective than one tailored to a specific agency or contract type. Keep a master version and create tailored versions for specific opportunities.
Use Keywords from the Solicitation
When responding to a specific solicitation, use the exact terminology from the Statement of Work (SOW) in your capability statement.
Keep It Current
Update your capability statement at least annually. Outdated information (expired SAM registration, old past performance) undermines credibility.
Common SDVOSB Capability Statement Mistakes
- Vague core competencies — "Construction services" tells a contracting officer nothing. Be specific.
- No past performance — Even new companies have relevant experience. Use commercial projects or subcontract work.
- Missing business data — Contracting officers need your NAICS codes and SAM registration to verify eligibility.
- Claiming certifications you don't have — Only claim SDVOSB status if you have active SBA certification. Misrepresentation is fraud.
- No contact information — Many capability statements bury or omit contact information.
How 214 Veteran Solutions Approaches Government Contracting
214 Veteran Solutions is a veteran-owned general contractor based in San Antonio, TX pursuing federal, state, and local government construction contracts throughout South Texas. Our government contracting capabilities include:
- General construction and renovation
- Facility maintenance and repair
- MEP coordination (mechanical, electrical, plumbing)
- Site work and civil construction
- Accessibility modifications (ADA/Section 504 compliance)
- Interior renovation and tenant improvement
Note: SDVOSB certification status, UEI, CAGE code, and SAM.gov registration details are TODO-JAJUAN-CONFIRM — these will be added once confirmed.
For more information about our government contracting services, visit our government contracting page or call (210) 429-7396.
Resources for SDVOSB Contractors
- SBA SDVOSB Certification: sba.gov — Veteran contracting assistance programs
- SAM.gov Registration: sam.gov — Required for all federal contracts
- Texas HUB Program: comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub
- Texas Veterans Commission: tvc.texas.gov — Resources for veteran-owned businesses in Texas
- San Antonio PTAC: Free government contracting assistance for San Antonio businesses
Ready to pursue government contracts in San Antonio? Contact 214 Veteran Solutions at (210) 429-7396 for a consultation.