# Can I buy federal contracting data with a government purchase card? Usually, yes, if the price stays under the micro-purchase threshold, $15,000 under FAR 2.101, and your agency's card rules allow it. Monthly API plans here ($49 to $499) and the one-time data license ($2,500) are all under it, and checkout takes a purchase card like any card, with invoices and receipts. Agency policies still apply: some require a quote, a vendor check or an IT approval for software.Checked on 2026-11-15.Official source: [FAR 2.101](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/2.101) | Micro-purchase threshold | $15,000 (FAR 2.101) | | --- | --- | | Data license | $2,500 | | Scale yearly | $4,990 | | Invoices | Downloadable PDFs | ## The answer in detail Micro-purchases need no competition and can go on a GPC, which is why many small data and software buys stay under the threshold. Agency policies still apply: some require a quote, a vendor check or an IT approval for software.The data license here is $2,500 one time: full historical dataset download, delivered as files, with a license for internal use. An annual Scale plan is $4,990, also under the threshold.GovCon API makes the same point on its pricing page: a full year of either of its plans stays well below the threshold. GovWin and GovSpend deals usually exceed it and go through a contract. ## How the options compare | Option | Price | Access and limits | Coverage and history | Best for | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [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 | | [HigherGov](https://www.highergov.com/pricing/) | Starter $500/yr, Standard $2,500/yr, Enterprise custom | API on paid plans; 10,000 records a month as its API page stated on 12 Nov 2026 | Opportunities, awards, awardees, IDVs and forecasts in a search UI with exports | Small BD teams who want a polished search UI | 2026-11-15 | | [GovWin IQ (Deltek)](https://civiciq.com/blog/govwin-iq-pricing-2026) | Not published; Vendr-observed deals about $13K to $119K a year (civiciq.com summary) | No published API terms | Federal and SLED market intelligence, analyst reports | Enterprise BD teams buying per seat | 2026-11-12 | | [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 - No GSA schedule or contract vehicle here: purchases above the threshold would need another route. ## Try it Before buying, check coverage for your use case with the free plan. ``` curl "https://samgovapi.io/api/v1/datasets/status" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $SAMGOVAPI_API_KEY" ``` ## Questions Can I get a W-9 or a quote first?Email support@samgovapi.io for a written quote before buying.Is the threshold the same for every agency?The FAR sets $15,000 generally, with exceptions (for example contingency operations); your agency's card policy may set lower limits. ## Related - [Pricing](https://samgovapi.io/pricing) - [Bulk download](https://samgovapi.io/bulk-download) - [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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