# Search Major Defense Programs

`Search_Major_Defense_Programs` is the GovTribe dataset search for DoD acquisition programs, including program identity, code/acronym metadata, AI summary text, and acquisition classification fields.

## When To Use

Typical questions this tool answers well:

* Which major defense programs match a specific name, code, acronym, or GovTribe ID?
* Which programs are associated with a specific federal agency?
* What program types/pathways/acquisition categories appear for a topic?
* Which federal agencies appear most often across major defense program records?
* What programs are semantically similar to a known program?

## Required Reading

1. [Search\_Mode\_And\_Query\_Guide](/user-guide/mcp/guides/search_mode_and_query_guide.md): Required before setting free-text query strings and choosing keyword vs semantic retrieval.

## Output Contract

* Top-level keys:
  * `data`: Array of result rows when `per_page > 0`.
  * `current_page`, `from`, `to`, `last_page`, `per_page`, `total`: Pagination envelope (`per_page > 0`).
  * `path`: GovTribe search URL for this result set.
  * `contains`: Dataset label for the returned result set.
  * `search_results_id_can_generate_saved_search`: Saved-search eligibility flag.
  * `search_results_id`: Server-side search result identifier.
  * `view_search_results_url`: URL to open this exact result set.
  * `aggregations`: Aggregation payload keyed by requested aggregation names when requested.
* Row keys:
  * `govtribe_id`
  * `govtribe_ai_summary`
  * `govtribe_type`
  * `govtribe_url`
  * `name`
  * `code`
  * `acronyms`
  * `description`
  * `defense_program_type`
  * `aaf_pathway`
  * `acquisition_category`
  * `updated_at`
  * `federal_agency`
  * `federal_contract_awards`
* Relationship retrieval map:
  * `federal_agency`
    * `resource_type`: `federal_agency`
    * `tool`: `Search_Federal_Agencies`
    * `filter`: `federal_agency_ids`
    * `nested_keys`: `govtribe_id`, `govtribe_type`, `govtribe_url`, `name`
  * `federal_contract_awards`
    * `resource_type`: `federal_contract_award`
    * `tool`: `Search_Federal_Contract_Awards`
    * `filter`: `federal_contract_award_ids`
    * `nested_keys`: `govtribe_id`, `govtribe_type`, `govtribe_url`, `name`

## Usage Patterns

Pattern A: Lookup by GovTribe program ID Tool: `Search_Major_Defense_Programs`

```json
{
  "search_mode": "keyword",
  "fields_to_return": [
    "govtribe_id"
  ],
  "page": 1,
  "per_page": 10,
  "major_defense_program_ids": [
    "<MAJOR_DEFENSE_PROGRAM_ID>"
  ],
  "major_defense_program_ids_operator": "in"
}
```

Pattern B: Programs for a target federal agency Tool: `Search_Major_Defense_Programs`

```json
{
  "search_mode": "keyword",
  "fields_to_return": [
    "govtribe_id"
  ],
  "federal_agency_ids": [
    "9700-A"
  ],
  "federal_agency_ids_operator": "in",
  "page": 1,
  "per_page": 10
}
```

Pattern C: Top agencies by program count (aggregation-only) Tool: `Search_Major_Defense_Programs`

```json
{
  "search_mode": "keyword",
  "aggregations": [
    "top_federal_agencies_by_doc_count"
  ],
  "per_page": 0
}
```

Pattern D: Semantic exploration by mission/capability topic Tool: `Search_Major_Defense_Programs`

```json
{
  "query": "maritime patrol aircraft and anti-submarine warfare programs",
  "search_mode": "semantic",
  "fields_to_return": [
    "govtribe_id"
  ],
  "page": 1,
  "per_page": 10
}
```

Pattern E: Similar programs from a known source program Tool: `Search_Major_Defense_Programs`

```json
{
  "search_mode": "semantic",
  "fields_to_return": [
    "govtribe_id"
  ],
  "similar_filter": {
    "govtribe_type": "dod_acquisition_program",
    "govtribe_id": "334-MDP"
  },
  "page": 1,
  "per_page": 10
}
```


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.govtribe.com/user-guide/mcp/tools/search-major-defense-programs.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.