# Quickstart Sign up for a free key, then send it as a Bearer token: one GET to https://samgovapi.io/api/v1/entities/{uei} returns a SAM.gov entity with registration status and expiry. The free plan includes 100 credits a month. Sign up with an email. The key is shown once; store it as SAMGOVAPI_API_KEY.Checked on 2026-11-12.Official source: [open.gsa.gov](https://open.gsa.gov/api/) | Step 1 | Create an account and copy your key | | --- | --- | | Step 2 | Call an endpoint with Authorization: Bearer | | Step 3 | Read next_cursor to page | | Step 4 | Add the MCP server to your agent | ## 1. Get a key Sign up with an email. The key is shown once; store it as SAMGOVAPI_API_KEY. ## 2. Make a call ``` curl "https://samgovapi.io/api/v1/entities/ABCDEFGH1234" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer sg_YOUR_KEY" ``` ## 3. Search ``` curl "https://samgovapi.io/api/v1/opportunities?q=cybersecurity&active=true" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer sg_YOUR_KEY" ``` ## 4. Connect an agent ``` claude mcp add --transport http samgovapi https://samgovapi.io/api/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer sg_YOUR_KEY" ``` ## Get this as JSON ``` curl "https://samgovapi.io/api/v1/entities/ABCDEFGH1234" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer sg_YOUR_KEY" ``` MCP tool: `get_entity`Keys start free, with no card. [Get a free API key](https://samgovapi.io/sign-up) or read the [docs](https://samgovapi.io/docs). ## Related - [Authentication](https://samgovapi.io/docs/authentication) - [Credits](https://samgovapi.io/docs/credits) - [Python](https://samgovapi.io/python) - [MCP server](https://samgovapi.io/mcp)Updated 2026-11-12. Sources checked 2026-11-12.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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HTML version: https://samgovapi.io/docs/quickstart . Markdown: https://samgovapi.io/docs/quickstart.md

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.

Get a free API key: https://samgovapi.io/sign-up?ref=ai-claudebot