Connect to ChatGPT (Web)

This guide walks you through connecting GovTribe MCP (Beta) to the ChatGPT app (web) so you can use GovTribe tools directly in ChatGPT.

Because MCP support is still in beta for ChatGPT, you may find it easier to use Claude (See Guide).

Difficulty Level: Medium

Time to Integrate: ~10 Minutes

Best For: Text Responses

Prerequisites

  • A paid ChatGPT account with access to Developer mode (to enable the beta feature) & custom MCP connectors.

  • GovTribe-provided OAuth credentials for ChatGPT:

    • Client ID

    • Client Secret

GovTribe MCP is authenticated as a GovTribe user. Your GovTribe account permissions determine what data/tools are available.

Step 1 — Enable Developer Mode in ChatGPT

  1. Open ChatGPT in your browser.

  2. Go to Settings.

  3. Navigate to Apps & Connectors (or Connectors, depending on your UI).

  4. Open Advanced settings (you may have to scroll down to see it)

  5. Toggle Developer mode ON.

If you don’t see Developer mode: you may need a workspace admin/owner to enable it for your account or workspace. You will not be able to add a custom MCP without developer mode enabled.

Step 2 — Create the GovTribe MCP connector

  1. Go to Settings → Apps & Connectors.

  2. Click Create (or Create connector).

  3. Enter the MCP Server URL:

  4. Name the connector (example: GovTribe MCP (Beta)).

  5. Enter a description (optional)

  6. Select Authentication: OAuth.

  7. Paste the GovTribe-provided OAuth values (typically Client ID and Client Secret; plus any other required fields ChatGPT prompts for).

    • If a Scope field is shown and GovTribe provides a value, paste it exactly. (For reference, GovTribe tokens require mcp:use, but most users won’t need to think about this because GovTribe configures the correct access for you.)

  8. Click Create.

Step 3 — Sign Into your GovTribe Account

After creating the connector, ChatGPT will prompt you to sign into your GovTribe account and grant permission to use the MCP.

If your ChatGPT account belongs to an organization: you may need to "Publish" the MCP app to your workspace for it to show up for individual user accounts.

Step 5 — Use GovTribe tools in a chat

  1. Start a new chat.

  2. Click the + (tools) button.

  3. Select Developer mode tools.

  4. Choose your GovTribe MCP connector.

  5. Ask ChatGPT a tool-driven request.

Good test prompts

  • “Use the GovTribe connector to find federal contract opportunities with ‘zero trust’ in the title.”

  • “Search for federal contract opportunities posted in the last 7 days related to ‘cybersecurity’.”

  • “Find vendors related to ‘computer systems design services’ and summarize the top matches.”

Troubleshooting

“Admin approval required” / “Need admin approval”

Your ChatGPT workspace may require an admin/owner to allow Developer mode or connector creation.

I connected, but no tools show up

  • Open the connector settings and look for Manage Actions.

  • Use Refresh (if available), then explicitly enable actions/tools.

Authentication errors (401/403)

  • Confirm you used the GovTribe-provided OAuth credentials for ChatGPT.

  • If ChatGPT has a “re-authenticate” option for the connector, run it.

Notes / limitations

  • Custom MCP connectors are typically web-only (mobile may not support them).

  • ChatGPT may show an explicit confirmation step before running write/modify tools.

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