# Can ChatGPT search SAM.gov contract opportunities? Yes. ChatGPT's own web search reads public SAM.gov pages but cannot query the data. For real searches, add samgovapi.io as a custom MCP server with no authentication (keyless search and fetch over companies, NAICS codes and open notices) or build a GPT with Actions from /openapi-chatgpt.json and a Bearer key for the full API. The keyless search and fetch tools exist for that case.Checked on 2026-11-15.Source: [OpenAI MCP docs](https://platform.openai.com/docs/mcp) | Keyless route | Custom MCP server, no auth | | --- | --- | | Full API route | GPT Actions, /openapi-chatgpt.json | | GPT retirement | Announced for 11 Dec 2026 | | MCP URL | https://samgovapi.io/api/mcp | ## The answer in detail ChatGPT's custom MCP connectors authenticate with OAuth or not at all; there is no field for an API key header. The keyless search and fetch tools exist for that case. They answer company, NAICS and notice lookups from the public pages and quote the data date.GPT Actions take an API key and give ChatGPT the metered endpoints: open bids by NAICS and set-aside, exclusions, awards, expiring registrations. OpenAI has announced custom GPTs retire on 11 Dec 2026 in favour of apps, so the MCP route is the lasting one.Either way, ask ChatGPT to show the notice ID and the SAM.gov link with each result, then open the notice on SAM.gov before bidding. ## How the options compare | Option | Price | Access and limits | Coverage and history | Best for | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [sam-gov-mcp (open source, PyPI)](https://pypi.org/project/sam-gov-mcp/) | Free | Hosted edition: no key, 6 tools; local edition: 20 tools on your own SAM.gov key, so SAM.gov's daily limits apply | Wraps the official SAM.gov REST APIs live (version 1.0.18, released 27 Oct 2026) | Agents that need a few live SAM.gov calls a day | 2026-11-15 | | [GovCon API (govconapi.com)](https://govconapi.com/pricing) | Developer $19/mo, Pro $39/mo; 14-day trial | 1,000 requests an hour (50 a minute burst); trial 50 a day | 12,265,150 contracts and 758,552 opportunities from FY2025; 904,090 entities, monthly | Developers who want the lowest entry price and FY2025+ history | 2026-11-15 | | [samgovapi.io](https://samgovapi.io/pricing) | Free (100 credits a month, no card); Developer $49/mo, Pro $149/mo, Scale $499/mo | 20 to 180 requests a minute by plan, no daily cap; REST, MCP and keyless MCP search | 881,370 entities (1 Nov 2026 extract), 74,420 notices, 169,191 exclusions, 114,954 awards since 1 Oct 2026 | Developers and AI agents who want entities, bids and exclusions joined in one API | 2026-11-15 | ## Where samgovapi.io is the weaker choice - Through the keyless MCP route, ChatGPT gets search and fetch only, not list filters such as set-aside and deadline. - Opportunities load nightly from SAM.gov's Contract Opportunities file, so a notice posted this morning appears tomorrow; SAM.gov has it at once. ## Try it What ChatGPT's keyless connector calls under the hood. ``` # No key needed: the hosted MCP server's search tool curl -s https://samgovapi.io/api/mcp -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"tools/call","params":{"name":"search","arguments":{"query":"janitorial services Virginia open bids"}}}' ``` ## Questions Which ChatGPT plans support custom MCP servers?OpenAI limits custom MCP connectors to some plans and, in workspaces, to admins; check your plan's settings.Does ChatGPT need my SAM.gov login?No. Neither route touches your SAM.gov account. ## Related - [ChatGPT setup](https://samgovapi.io/agents/chatgpt) - [MCP server](https://samgovapi.io/mcp) - [API docs](https://samgovapi.io/docs) - [Pricing](https://samgovapi.io/pricing) - [Answers](https://samgovapi.io/answers)Updated 2026-11-15. Sources checked 2026-11-15.Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

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Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

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