Connect via API

Connect GovTribe MCP via API to providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini.

Jump To Section:

• OpenAI

• Anthropic

• Gemini

OpenAI – API

For testing tools, we recommend using the MCP Inspector which allows you to manually call all the tools with configurable arguments.

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Prerequisites

• You must create and sign in to an OpenAI account.

• Once signed in, follow the official Developer Quickstart for OpenAI & obtain an OpenAI API key.

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Step 1 – Create a GovTribe API Key

1. Visit https://govtribe.com/account-mcp

2. Enable the MCP, then click +Create Key

Step 2 — OpenAI Platform

1. Navigate to the OpenAI Platform create chat page.

2. Click + Add under the Tools menu, and select MCP server

Step 2 — Configure MCP Server

1. Click + Server in the pop up

2. Add the url https://govtribe.com/mcp, create a label/description, and paste your API key

Step 3: Configure Available Tools

Confirm which tools you want enabled, scroll to the bottom, and press Add

Step 4: Test the MCP Server

You can now configure any prompts you'd like and test the GovTribe MCP as needed.

Step 5: Copy as Code Snippet

1. Navigate to the three dot menu in the upper right hand corner, which opens a dropdown

2. Click the Code menu option, and see your test prompt represented as API call

Anthropic – API

For testing tools, we recommend using the MCP Inspector which allows you to manually call all the tools with configurable arguments.

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Prerequisites

• You must create and sign in to an Claude Developer Account.

• Once signed in, generate an API key for Claude

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See also: Claude's official guide on using MCP servers via the API

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Example Usage

• Replace $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

• Replace $GOVTRIBE_API_KEY

List available tools:

curl https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
  -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
  -H "anthropic-beta: mcp-client-2025-11-20" \
  -d '{
    "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5",
    "max_tokens": 1000,
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "What tools do you have available?"}],
    "mcp_servers": [
      {
        "type": "url",
        "url": "https://govtribe.com/mcp",
        "name": "govtribe-mcp",
        "authorization_token": "$GOVTRIBE_API_KEY"
      }
    ],
    "tools": [
      {
        "type": "mcp_toolset",
        "mcp_server_name": "govtribe-mcp"
      }
    ]
  }'

List a federal contract opportunity:

curl https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
  -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
  -H "anthropic-beta: mcp-client-2025-11-20" \
  -d '{
    "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5",
    "max_tokens": 1000,
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Could you find me exactly one federal contract opportunity?"}],
    "mcp_servers": [
      {
        "type": "url",
        "url": "https://govtribe.com/mcp",
        "name": "govtribe-mcp",
        "authorization_token": "$GOVTRIBE_API_KEY"
      }
    ],
    "tools": [
      {
        "type": "mcp_toolset",
        "mcp_server_name": "govtribe-mcp"
      }
    ]
  }'

Gemini – API

Documentation coming soon.