> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.meritmatch.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Capability gaps: find coverage issues before you bid

> Use MERIT's capability gap analysis to compare opportunity requirements against your company profile and surface partner options.

Capability gap analysis helps you spot where your team may need more proof, more experience, or a partner before you commit to a pursuit. MERIT reviews available opportunity context against your company profile and shows gaps that may deserve attention.

Use this as a review aid, not a bid/no-bid verdict. Your team should still validate customer requirements, partner commitments, staffing assumptions, and proposal strategy before making a final decision.

## Where to run gap analysis

Capability gap analysis is available from **Team Matching** when MERIT has enough opportunity context to review. If the active project already has a SOW, RFP, or requirements document attached, Team Matching shows an option to **Analyze Gaps Automatically**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Team Matching">
    From the dashboard, open the Team Matching workflow for the active pursuit or project.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm opportunity context">
    Make sure the opportunity has a SOW, RFP, PWS, or requirements document attached. The analysis works best when the document clearly describes the work, customer needs, required capabilities, and evaluation signals.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the analysis">
    Click **Analyze Gaps Automatically**. MERIT reviews the opportunity context and returns a capability gap summary with suggested partner companies where available.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What MERIT reviews

MERIT looks for requirement areas where your current company profile may not show enough evidence. Depending on the opportunity, this can include:

* Technical capability
* Domain or agency experience
* Certifications or compliance signals
* Relevant NAICS or contracting context
* Past performance evidence
* Staffing or geographic requirements

Not every opportunity includes every category. The analysis depends on the documents, opportunity data, and company information available at the time it runs.

## Reading the results

The **Capability Gap Matches** view summarizes the analysis and groups gaps by severity.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Critical" icon="circle-exclamation">
    Gaps that may need immediate review before you rely on your current team for the pursuit.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Moderate" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Gaps that may weaken your bid or require a mitigation plan.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Watch" icon="eye">
    Areas that appear less urgent but are still worth checking during capture.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Each gap can include a short explanation, missing evidence, and an evidence coverage score. Treat these signals as a starting point for team discussion.

## Reviewing partner options

When MERIT finds companies that may help address a gap, they appear under **Companies that fill this gap**. Partner cards can include a fit score, rationale, and available evidence signals.

Use the partner list to decide who deserves a closer look. Before adding a company to your pursuit strategy, confirm:

* The partner is available for the opportunity
* Their qualifications match the actual solicitation requirements
* Their past performance or capabilities are relevant enough for the bid
* The teaming relationship makes sense commercially and operationally

## Using gap analysis in capture

Gap analysis is most useful early in capture, before proposal pressure narrows your options. Use the results to:

* Decide whether you need a teaming partner
* Update your company profile or evidence where MERIT is missing context
* Start staffing or subcontractor conversations earlier
* Prepare concrete mitigation plans for gate reviews

<Tip>
  Run gap analysis again after major changes to the opportunity, your company profile, or your proposed team. New evidence can change which gaps matter most.
</Tip>

## Related pages

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Partner matching" icon="link" href="/team/partner-matching">
    Find and review potential teaming partners for your pursuits.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Staffing fit" icon="id-card" href="/team/staffing-fit">
    Build a candidate pool and compare candidates against pursuit roles.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>