GovInbox

Look up a FAR clause

get_far_clause

Read-onlyIdempotent

Not affiliated with the U.S. government, GSA, or SAM.gov. Not a U.S. government service. Stored excerpt of a Federal Acquisition Regulation section by number (e.g. 52.212-4, 52.219-8), from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 48. Every response carries the eCFR version date and a clickable link to the official eCFR section page so you can verify the current text. Length limits and content guards may prevent full delivery; text_delivery explains truncation, withholding or absent deliverable text. Informational only, not legal advice; the clause version in your contract and solicitation controls. Follow-ups within 30 minutes after a search ride free (up to 30 per search); otherwise one accepted call counts as one use. Every record carries a direct source link (or source name and record ID) so you can verify and cite the underlying record.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`clause_number`	No	FAR section number, e.g. 52.212-4

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`part`	No	FAR part number, e.g. 52
`text`	Yes	Sanitized stored regulatory excerpt; may be length-truncated or withheld. See text_delivery status.
`quota`	Yes
`title`	No	Section title as published in the eCFR
`coverage`	Yes
`truncated`	No	True when the text was cut to fit the response
`as_of_date`	No	eCFR version date the text was taken from; shown prominently because clauses change
`source_url`	No	Clickable link to the official eCFR section page for this clause; use it to verify the current text
`data_caveat`	No	Data quality caveat	Regulatory text from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), Title 48. Informational reference only: not legal advice, not an official legal edition, and GovInbox does not decide which clause governs your procurement. The clause version in your signed contract and solicitation controls, not this text. Verify the current official text at ecfr.gov before acting.
`text_delivery`	No		available
`section_number`	Yes	FAR section number, e.g. 52.212-4
`suppression_reason`	No
`text_delivery_note`	No
`analytical_disclaimer`	Yes

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed33 schema fields changedOct 24, 2026

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / as_of / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "null"
+  }
+]

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / as_of / default
```
Added value: +null
```

changedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / as_of / description

Previous value: -"UTC ISO 8601"New value: +"Known source observation time; null when not recorded. Not the query time."

removedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / as_of / type
```
Removed value: -"string"
```

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / cache_timestamp_basis

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Cache Timestamp Basis"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / cache_timestamp_field

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Cache Timestamp Field"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / exclusions

Added value: +{
+  "items": {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  "title": "Exclusions",
+  "type": "array"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / last_attempt_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Last Attempt At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / last_attempt_scope

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "additionalProperties": true,
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Last Attempt Scope"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / last_success_record_count

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "integer"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Last Success Record Count"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / last_success_scope

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "additionalProperties": true,
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Last Success Scope"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / last_successful_ingest_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Last Successful Ingest At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / last_successful_refresh_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Last Successful Refresh At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / latest_cached_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Latest Cached At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / latest_stored_fetched_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Latest Stored Fetched At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / latest_stored_ingested_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Latest Stored Ingested At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / oldest_cached_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Oldest Cached At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / oldest_ingested_at

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Oldest Ingested At"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / pagination_note

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Pagination Note"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / population

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Population"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / population_complete

Added value: +{
+  "default": false,
+  "title": "Population Complete",
+  "type": "boolean"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / population_status

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Population Status"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / query_time

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "description": "When this stored-data query was calculated; not proof of source refresh",
+  "title": "Query Time"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / record_type

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Record Type"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / refresh_error_code

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Refresh Error Code"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / refresh_status

Added value: +{
+  "default": "unknown",
+  "title": "Refresh Status",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / scope_note

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Scope Note"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / source

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Source"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / source_as_of

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Source As Of"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / source_state

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "enum": [
+        "matched",
+        "no_match",
+        "not_loaded",
+        "unsupported",
+        "failed_refresh",
+        "unknown"
+      ],
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Source State"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / source_url

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Source Url"
+}

addedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / properties / stored_rows

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "integer"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Stored Rows"
+}

removedOutput schema / $defs / Coverage / required
```
Removed value: -[
-  "as_of"
-]
```

Changed5 schema fields changedOct 18, 2026

addedOutput schema / $defs / QuotaBlock / properties / mode

Added value: +{
+  "default": "ordinary",
+  "enum": [
+    "ordinary",
+    "testing",
+    "review",
+    "beta"
+  ],
+  "title": "Mode",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / suppression_reason

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "const": "verdict_word_backstop",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Suppression Reason"
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / text / description

Previous value: -"Full clause text as published; truncated for very long sections"New value: +"Sanitized stored regulatory excerpt; may be length-truncated or withheld. See text_delivery status."

addedOutput schema / properties / text_delivery

Added value: +{
+  "default": "available",
+  "enum": [
+    "available",
+    "length_truncated",
+    "withheld",
+    "not_stored",
+    "no_deliverable_text"
+  ],
+  "title": "Text Delivery",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / text_delivery_note

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "null"
+    }
+  ],
+  "default": null,
+  "title": "Text Delivery Note"
+}

First observedOct 14, 2026

TDQS

A3.7/5.0

Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Goes well beyond the annotations (which only cover safe-read/idempotent): it discloses that content is a stored excerpt rather than live text, that every response carries an eCFR version date and verification link, that length limits and content guards can truncate or withhold text with `text_delivery` explaining it, and that follow-up calls within 30 minutes are free while others consume a use. These are exactly the operational facts an agent needs and none of them are in structured fields.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness2/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

It opens with two defensive disclaimer sentences before saying what the tool does, and it repeats the source-link point twice ('Every response carries… a clickable link' and 'Every record carries a direct source link…'). The usage/rate-limit and legal-disclaimer material is not clearly separated from the functional description, so the agent must parse a legal notice to find the core behavior.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With an output schema present and a single well-documented parameter, the description covers the remaining gaps well (staleness, truncation via `text_delivery`, citation links, quota). The one missing piece is the not-found / invalid-number case, which matters for a lookup-by-ID tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100% and the schema already documents `clause_number` with the same example format ('52.212-4'). The description adds no syntax, normalization, or failure semantics (e.g. what happens for a non-existent or Section-vs-clause number) beyond the schema, so the baseline of 3 applies.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The opening substantive clause states a specific resource and retrieval mode: 'Stored excerpt of a Federal Acquisition Regulation section by number (e.g. 52.212-4, 52.219-8), from the eCFR, Title 48.' It is distinguishable from siblings (no other tool looks up FAR text), but the statement of purpose is preceded by two boilerplate disclaimer sentences, which dilutes front-loading.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Usage is only implied: the agent infers it should call this when it has a FAR clause number in hand. There is no explicit 'use this when… / do not use for…' guidance and no pointer to an alternative tool for statutes, agency supplements, or free-text regulation search.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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