GovTribe MCP (Beta)

Access GovTribe's government contracting intelligence covering opportunities, awards, vendors, agencies, grants, and business development tools.

What is GovTribe MCP?

GovTribe MCP (Beta) is GovTribe’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, available at:

https://govtribe.com/mcp

It lets MCP-capable AI clients securely access GovTribe data and workflows as the authenticated GovTribe user—so the AI can search, retrieve, and operate on GovTribe information in a structured, tool-driven way.

What it can do (today)

GovTribe MCP currently exposes tools in two major categories:

1) Search Tools

Use MCP tools to search and filter across GovTribe’s datasets, including (high level):

  • Federal contracting: opportunities/solicitations, awards, IDVs, vehicles, transactions, sub-awards

  • Grants: opportunities, awards, programs, sub-awards

  • State & local: opportunities, awards, IDVs, vehicles

  • Reference entities: agencies, vendors, contacts, jurisdictions, categories (NAICS/PSC/NIGP/UNSPSC)

  • Supporting content: government files and government-related news

2) User Account Action Tools (BD / capture workflow)

Operate on your GovTribe workspace objects, including:

  • Pipelines

  • Stages

  • Pursuits

  • Tasks

  • Saved searches

Note: These actions occur under the authenticated user, so permissions and visibility follow your GovTribe account access.

Recommended Setup

  • For API integrations, we've found OpenAI's models to be easiest to integrate and test.

  • For consumer apps, we've found Claude Desktop + Artifacts to be the most powerful combination.

Authentication

GovTribe MCP is always used on behalf of a GovTribe user.

Option A — API Key (recommended for APIs + developer workflows)

For OpenAI/Anthropic APIs, Playground, and most “bring your own MCP client” integrations, you’ll authenticate with a GovTribe-issued API key (GovTribe issues "Personal Access Token" API keys).

  • Under the hood, it’s used as a Bearer token

  • Some clients will ask for a raw “token” / “auth ID” and automatically prepend Bearer for you

  • For advanced/non-standard clients, the token must include the OAuth scope: mcp:use

    • (GovTribe-issued beta API keys already include this.)

Option B — OAuth Client (needed for ChatGPT/Claude apps)

For integrations like the ChatGPT app (web/desktop) and Claude app (web/desktop), you’ll use OAuth.

  • GovTribe will provide a Client ID + Client Secret for your beta access

  • You’ll paste those values (plus any required URLs) into the app’s MCP connector setup

  • We handle redirect/callback specifics during setup (you don’t need to self-serve this)

Beta expectations

GovTribe MCP is in beta access:

  • We monitor usage and reserve the right to revoke access in cases of abuse.

  • We will notify beta users ahead of tool changes (additions/renames/behavior changes) when possible.

Where to start

  • If you’re evaluating capabilities: start with MCP Tools (tool catalog + examples).

  • If you’re setting up a specific client: go directly to the relevant Connect to ChatGPT or Connect to Claude guide.

Quick glossary

  • MCP server: A server (like https://govtribe.com/mcp) that exposes tools an AI client can call.

  • Tool: A structured operation (e.g., search opportunities, create a pursuit).

  • Authenticated user: The GovTribe user whose access/permissions govern what the tools can see/do.

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