Optional AI access

Use the data in your AI tool.

MCP, the Model Context Protocol, lets supported AI tools call GovBiz data tools. It queries the same catalogue as the web API.

The endpoint is https://www.govbiz.ai/mcp. You need an active API trial or paid plan, plus the required permissions.

Some clients use OAuth, a sign-in flow that grants access. Others use an API key. Follow the instructions for your client.

REST and MCP share your workspace allowance. Your AI provider’s fees are separate.

GovBiz supplies records and source evidence. Your AI tool handles the conversation and any separately authorized actions.

Connect GovBiz to your agent

Start with one connection and one question. A GovBiz trial or active subscription is required. Your agent provider’s subscription, workspace permissions, and availability are separate.

  1. Create your GovBiz account and verify your email.
  2. Choose your agent below. Use OAuth sign-in when available; it avoids copying a secret.
  3. Connect to https://www.govbiz.ai/mcp.
  4. Ask: “Use GovBiz to find five notices with my chosen agency and NAICS filters. Include source links and dates.” If asked, select the GovBiz tools.

Use API keys for clients that need a Bearer API key. Store keys only in the client’s secret settings or environment. Never paste a key into a chat, shared file, URL, or support email.

Use Usage to monitor requests.

ChatGPT and your dot

  1. Open ChatGPT Plugins. Your workspace permissions and security settings may limit custom connections.
  2. Select the plus button, then Add custom MCP server. Enter the MCP URL above and choose OAuth authentication.
  3. Sign in on the GovBiz page, read the consent, and approve. Return to ChatGPT and confirm the tools were discovered.
  4. Enable the connection in your conversation. For a dot, ensure the plugin is installed, enabled, and permitted for that account. Ask the dot to run the beginner example first.

A public directory listing requires OpenAI approval. These instructions do not imply GovBiz is already listed. If custom connections are unavailable, ask your workspace administrator.

Local skills require an online connected computer. Check your dot’s supported execution environment before scheduling work.

Official connection guide · Dots guide

Claude

  1. Open Claude Settings → Connectors and choose Add custom connector. Organization administrators may need to enable custom connectors.
  2. Name it GovBiz and paste the MCP URL.
  3. Select Connect, complete GovBiz sign-in and consent, and return to Claude.
  4. Enable GovBiz for a conversation and try the beginner example.

Use a remote connector for cloud access. A local desktop server needs a different setup. For Claude Code, use claude mcp add --transport http govbiz https://www.govbiz.ai/mcp, then use /mcp to authenticate.

Official Claude connector guide

OpenClaw

  1. Open Control UI → Settings → MCP → Add server.
  2. Name it GovBiz, choose Streamable HTTP, and paste the MCP URL.
  3. Save, then complete OAuth login for GovBiz. Check that your agent’s tool policy allows the selected GovBiz tools.
  4. Probe the connection and try one query before enabling scheduled work.
openclaw mcp add govbiz --url https://www.govbiz.ai/mcp --transport streamable-http
openclaw mcp login govbiz
openclaw mcp doctor govbiz --probe

Commands depend on the installed OpenClaw version. Official OpenClaw setup

Grok through the xAI API

This is a developer integration. Remote MCP in the xAI API does not establish that the consumer Grok app offers an arbitrary connector button.

  1. Create a GovBiz API key in API keys, scoped to the domains you need.
  2. In your xAI application, configure a remote MCP tool with server URL https://www.govbiz.ai/mcp.
  3. Supply the GovBiz key through the MCP authorization field as a secret. Set allowed_tools to include only the tools needed for the task. Keep your xAI API credential separate.
  4. Test one tool call. Add document, CRM, or email tools separately with their own authorization.

Official xAI Remote MCP examples. Ask your developer to follow the current SDK example. Do not send secrets in a chat.

Install the research skills

Download the GovBiz plugin and four research skills. In a client that supports plugin uploads, open its plugin manager, upload this ZIP, and complete GovBiz OAuth sign-in. Otherwise unzip it and import the SKILL.md folders through your client’s supported skill installation flow.

The MCP connection supplies data. Installing the skills adds research workflows. Remote connections do not automatically install local skills.

Public directory publication is pending provider review.

Examples. Start small, then connect your workflow

Other apps require their own connections and permissions. These examples request research and outputs you can review. Sending messages or changing another service requires your authorization.

ChatGPT / dot

Beginner. Find up to 10 Sources Sought notices for NAICS 541512. Show agency, deadline, source date, and original links.

Ask me for any missing filters.

Intermediate. Use the Google Drive document I select to help me choose public-record filters. Keep private documents in ChatGPT.

Send only agreed filters to GovBiz. Prepare a cited research brief in a new Google Doc after I approve the outline.

Advanced. Each weekday at 8 AM Eastern for the next four weeks, check my agreed filters. Compare source IDs with my selected spreadsheet.

Flag new notices and changed deadlines. Draft a Gmail summary. Ask before sending.

Confirm that scheduling and both connections are available.

Claude

Beginner. Research historical awards to this named contractor. Cite original records, dates, and award identifiers.

Do not assume these establish current contract status.

Intermediate. Combine GovBiz agency buying history with my selected Google Drive planning document. Create an evidence table.

Separate historical facts, forecasts, and unanswered questions.

Advanced. Compare this week’s agency evidence with the Notion research table I select. Propose additions with citations.

Ask before updating the table or posting a Slack summary. Use a supported scheduler only if available.

OpenClaw

Beginner. Use GovBiz to find notices for my specified agency and set-aside. Keep my filters unchanged and show the source links.

Intermediate. Retrieve one bounded page of records. Remove duplicates by source identifier.

Prepare rows for my approved spreadsheet connection. Show the changes before writing.

Advanced. Configure a supported scheduled run for my explicit filters. Keep a checkpoint in my approved storage.

Wait before retrying rate-limited requests. Draft a message through my connected channel. Ask before enabling outbound delivery.

Grok / xAI API

Beginner. In the configured API application, retrieve public agency spending records and summarize them with evidence links and periods covered.

Intermediate. Combine bounded GovBiz results with a CSV I provide. Compare agencies and show assumptions, missing evidence, and source dates.

Do not infer company capabilities.

Advanced. Build a workflow that saves record IDs. Retry temporary failures with varied delays.

Prepare a CRM research note. Require authorization before a separate CRM or email tool writes or sends anything.

When something goes wrong

  • Sign-in fails / 401. Reconnect and complete consent. Check for an expired or revoked credential.
  • Access denied / 403. Check Billing, your key’s scopes, and Data domains. Ask the tenant administrator to review access.
  • Rate limit / 429 or quota error. Wait until the indicated reset. Increase delays between retries, vary the timing, and send fewer requests at once. Do not retry continuously.
  • Unavailable or slow source. Retry later with a smaller query. Treat stale data as historical. Do not infer a current result.
  • No tools. Enable the connection and check your agent’s tool policy. Verify that a requested domain is available.

Support and limit increases. Use our contact form. Include the tool name, time, error, and non-sensitive reproduction steps. Never include credentials.

Provider instructions checked October 11, 2026. Interfaces and availability may change. GovBiz is independent of these providers.