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Search opportunities

search_opportunities
Read-onlyIdempotent

Not affiliated with the U.S. government, GSA, or SAM.gov. Not a U.S. government service. Search open federal contract opportunities from SAM.gov notices, presented as cards. Uses the same stored-notice engine as search_open_notices - one call, one search - with results sorted by posted date or deadline, not by a match score. Each card shows deadlines, the filter that matched it (e.g. the NAICS or set-aside you passed), and source links. Present as information only; Map industry or trade words in the request to NAICS prefixes and pass them as naics (construction -> 23; engineering -> 5413; IT services -> 5415; janitorial/housekeeping -> 5617; landscaping -> 5617; security guards -> 5616); a free-text keyword is not a substitute for NAICS. For 'veteran-owned' pass set_aside ['vosb','sdvosb'] (both); for 'service-disabled veteran-owned' pass ['sdvosb'] only. not a bid recommendation. Cite the source link when available; legacy DIBBS records without verified deep links retain the source name and record ID. For a known current or previous solicitation/reference number, use solicitation_number; for a SAM notice ID use notice_id. These exact lookups include stored closed/archived records, do not inherit the browsing set-aside default, and do not search award contract PIIDs. Stored records are not a complete live-source or version-history search. Follow-ups within 30 minutes after a search ride free (up to 30 per search); otherwise one accepted call counts as one use.

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
limitNoMaximum 25 opportunity leads; minimum 1; default 10. Stored versions remain grouped.
naicsNoNAICS codes, 2-6 digits each
agencyNoLiteral substring of the recorded agency path, including its named offices. This is separate from performance geography; clarify ambiguous abbreviations before choosing constraints.
cursorNoReturned continuation cursor. Keep the same search filters; changed matching records require restarting the search.
keywordsNoLiteral text in stored titles, briefs, current-version fetched scope, inline source descriptions, solicitation numbers and notice IDs. URL-only and known stale descriptions are excluded; filtered before scan and result limits.
geographyNoState where the work is performed, e.g. TX for Texas; matches recorded structured place of performance, not buyer address or title text. Records with unknown work state are excluded.
notice_idNoExact SAM notice ID, a separate identifier from solicitation numbers and award PIIDs. Includes stored closed notices. Omit browsing filters.
set_asideNoRecorded notice restriction: vosb (veteran-owned), sdvosb (service-disabled veteran-owned), 8a, hubzone, wosb, edwosb, small. VOSB and SDVOSB are distinct; do not infer a firm's credentials. Omit or pass null for any set-aside; unrestricted requires affirmative source evidence of full/open competition and excludes unknown restrictions. This filter does not establish company certification.
match_modeNosubstring
solicitation_numberNoExact current/previous solicitation or reference number; case, spaces and hyphens normalized. Includes stored closed notices. Omit browsing filters. Not an award PIID.

Output Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
countNo
quotaNo
coverageNo
next_cursorNoOpaque continuation cursor. Follow coverage.continuation using its named tool and the same search filters. If the tool reports changed matching records, restart the search without a cursor. Results cover a bounded stored scan, not a frozen live-source snapshot.
coverage_noteNo
opportunitiesNo
applied_filtersNo
quota_exhaustedNo
related_recordsNo
solicitation_groupsNo
analytical_disclaimerNo

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed16 schema fields changed
    • addedInput schema / properties / agency
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "maxLength": 120,
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "description": "Literal substring of the recorded agency path, including its named offices. This is separate from performance geography; clarify ambiguous abbreviations before choosing constraints.",
      +  "title": "Agency"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / cursor
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "maxLength": 2048,
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "description": "Returned continuation cursor. Keep the same search filters; changed matching records require restarting the search.",
      +  "title": "Cursor"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / geography
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "enum": [
      +        "AL",
      +        "AK",
      +        "AZ",
      +        "AR",
      +        "CA",
      +        "CO",
      +        "CT",
      +        "DE",
      +        "FL",
      +        "GA",
      +        "HI",
      +        "ID",
      +        "IL",
      +        "IN",
      +        "IA",
      +        "KS",
      +        "KY",
      +        "LA",
      +        "ME",
      +        "MD",
      +        "MA",
      +        "MI",
      +        "MN",
      +        "MS",
      +        "MO",
      +        "MT",
      +        "NE",
      +        "NV",
      +        "NH",
      +        "NJ",
      +        "NM",
      +        "NY",
      +        "NC",
      +        "ND",
      +        "OH",
      +        "OK",
      +        "OR",
      +        "PA",
      +        "RI",
      +        "SC",
      +        "SD",
      +        "TN",
      +        "TX",
      +        "UT",
      +        "VT",
      +        "VA",
      +        "WA",
      +        "WV",
      +        "WI",
      +        "WY",
      +        "DC",
      +        "AS",
      +        "GU",
      +        "MP",
      +        "PR",
      +        "VI"
      +      ],
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "description": "State where the work is performed, e.g. TX for Texas; matches recorded structured place of performance, not buyer address or title text. Records with unknown work state are excluded.",
      +  "title": "Geography"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / keywords / description
      Previous value: -"Literal text in stored titles, briefs, solicitation numbers and notice IDs; filtered before the result limit"New value: +"Literal text in stored titles, briefs, current-version fetched scope, inline source descriptions, solicitation numbers and notice IDs. URL-only and known stale descriptions are excluded; filtered before scan and result limits."
    • addedInput schema / properties / limit / description
      Added value: +"Maximum 25 opportunity leads; minimum 1; default 10. Stored versions remain grouped."
    • addedInput schema / properties / match_mode
      Added value: +{
      +  "default": "substring",
      +  "enum": [
      +    "substring",
      +    "phrase",
      +    "acronym"
      +  ],
      +  "title": "Match Mode",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / set_aside / anyOf
      Previous value: -[
      -  {
      -    "type": "string"
      -  },
      -  {
      -    "type": "null"
      -  }
      -]New value: +[
      +  {
      +    "maxLength": 32,
      +    "type": "string"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "null"
      +  }
      +]
    • changedInput schema / properties / set_aside / default
      Previous value: -"sdvosb"New value: +null
    • changedInput schema / properties / set_aside / description
      Previous value: -"Filter by set-aside: sdvosb, 8a, hubzone, wosb, edwosb, small. Defaults to sdvosb."New value: +"Recorded notice restriction: vosb (veteran-owned), sdvosb (service-disabled veteran-owned), 8a, hubzone, wosb, edwosb, small. VOSB and SDVOSB are distinct; do not infer a firm's credentials. Omit or pass null for any set-aside; unrestricted requires affirmative source evidence of full/open competition and excludes unknown restrictions. This filter does not establish company certification."
    • addedOutput schema / $defs / OpportunityCard / properties / match_explanation
      Added value: +{
      +  "additionalProperties": true,
      +  "title": "Match Explanation",
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / $defs / OpportunityCard / properties / place_state
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "description": "Recorded structured place-of-performance state, never buyer location",
      +  "title": "Place State"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / $defs / OpportunityCard / properties / provenance
      Added value: +{
      +  "additionalProperties": true,
      +  "title": "Provenance",
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / $defs / RelatedSourceRecord
      Added value: +{
      +  "properties": {
      +    "opportunity_id": {
      +      "anyOf": [
      +        {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        {
      +          "type": "null"
      +        }
      +      ],
      +      "default": null,
      +      "title": "Opportunity Id"
      +    },
      +    "opportunity_number": {
      +      "title": "Opportunity Number",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "record_id": {
      +      "title": "Record Id",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "record_type": {
      +      "const": "grant",
      +      "default": "grant",
      +      "title": "Record Type",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "relationship_basis": {
      +      "default": "same_normalized_reference",
      +      "enum": [
      +        "same_normalized_reference",
      +        "keyword_is_exact_reference"
      +      ],
      +      "title": "Relationship Basis",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "relationship_note": {
      +      "title": "Relationship Note",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "relationship_status": {
      +      "const": "unverified",
      +      "default": "unverified",
      +      "title": "Relationship Status",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "source_name": {
      +      "const": "Grants.gov",
      +      "default": "Grants.gov",
      +      "title": "Source Name",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "source_record_id": {
      +      "title": "Source Record Id",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "source_url": {
      +      "anyOf": [
      +        {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        {
      +          "type": "null"
      +        }
      +      ],
      +      "default": null,
      +      "title": "Source Url"
      +    },
      +    "source_url_unavailable_reason": {
      +      "anyOf": [
      +        {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        {
      +          "type": "null"
      +        }
      +      ],
      +      "default": null,
      +      "title": "Source Url Unavailable Reason"
      +    },
      +    "title": {
      +      "title": "Title",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    }
      +  },
      +  "required": [
      +    "record_id",
      +    "opportunity_number",
      +    "source_record_id",
      +    "title",
      +    "relationship_note"
      +  ],
      +  "title": "RelatedSourceRecord",
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
    • changedOutput schema / properties / next_cursor / description
      Previous value: -"Underlying scan cursor; coverage.continuation names the supported full-connection tool. This facade accepts no cursor."New value: +"Opaque continuation cursor. Follow coverage.continuation using its named tool and the same search filters. If the tool reports changed matching records, restart the search without a cursor. Results cover a bounded stored scan, not a frozen live-source snapshot."
    • addedOutput schema / properties / related_records
      Added value: +{
      +  "items": {
      +    "$ref": "#/$defs/RelatedSourceRecord"
      +  },
      +  "title": "Related Records",
      +  "type": "array"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / solicitation_groups
      Added value: +{
      +  "items": {
      +    "additionalProperties": true,
      +    "type": "object"
      +  },
      +  "title": "Solicitation Groups",
      +  "type": "array"
      +}
  2. Changed10 schema fields changed
    • changedInput schema / properties / keywords / anyOf
      Previous value: -[
      -  {
      -    "type": "string"
      -  },
      -  {
      -    "type": "null"
      -  }
      -]New value: +[
      +  {
      +    "maxLength": 200,
      +    "type": "string"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "null"
      +  }
      +]
    • changedInput schema / properties / keywords / description
      Previous value: -"Keywords to search in titles and descriptions"New value: +"Literal text in stored titles, briefs, solicitation numbers and notice IDs; filtered before the result limit"
    • changedInput schema / properties / naics / anyOf
      Previous value: -[
      -  {
      -    "items": {
      -      "pattern": "^[0-9]{2,6}$",
      -      "type": "string"
      -    },
      -    "type": "array"
      -  },
      -  {
      -    "type": "null"
      -  }
      -]New value: +[
      +  {
      +    "items": {
      +      "pattern": "^[0-9]{2,6}$",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "maxItems": 20,
      +    "minItems": 1,
      +    "type": "array"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "null"
      +  }
      +]
    • addedInput schema / properties / notice_id
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "maxLength": 64,
      +      "minLength": 1,
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "description": "Exact SAM notice ID, a separate identifier from solicitation numbers and award PIIDs. Includes stored closed notices. Omit browsing filters.",
      +  "title": "Notice Id"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / solicitation_number
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "maxLength": 120,
      +      "minLength": 1,
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "description": "Exact current/previous solicitation or reference number; case, spaces and hyphens normalized. Includes stored closed notices. Omit browsing filters. Not an award PIID.",
      +  "title": "Solicitation Number"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / $defs / OpportunityCard / properties / record_status
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "title": "Record Status"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / $defs / OpportunityCard / properties / solicitation_number
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "title": "Solicitation Number"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / coverage
      Added value: +{
      +  "additionalProperties": true,
      +  "title": "Coverage",
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / coverage_note
      Added value: +{
      +  "default": "",
      +  "title": "Coverage Note",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / next_cursor
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "description": "Underlying scan cursor; coverage.continuation names the supported full-connection tool. This facade accepts no cursor.",
      +  "title": "Next Cursor"
      +}
  3. Changed1 schema field changed
    • addedOutput schema / properties / quota_exhausted
      Added value: +{
      +  "default": false,
      +  "title": "Quota Exhausted",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
  4. First observed

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior5/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnly/idempotent/non-destructive/openWorld, and the description adds substantial context beyond them: stored-notice engine shared with search_open_notices, records are not a complete live-source or version-history search, legacy DIBBS records may lack verified deep links, and billing semantics (free follow-ups within 30 min up to 30 per search, otherwise one accepted call = one use). These are behavioral traits not inferable from annotations.

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

Conciseness3/5

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

The content is dense and mostly valuable, but the structure is poor: it opens with two legal disclaimers before stating what the tool does, and splices in fragments like 'Present as information only; not a bid recommendation' mid-paragraph. Purpose should be front-loaded, not preceded by boilerplate.

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

Completeness5/5

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

With an output schema present, return-value explanation isn't required, yet the description still describes card contents, deadlines, matched filter, and source links. Pagination (cursor) and edge cases (legacy DIBBS records, closed/archived inclusion, billing follow-ups) are all addressed, so nothing an agent needs to call correctly is missing.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Schema coverage is already 90%, so the baseline is 3, but the description genuinely extends meaning for naics (prefix mapping strategy), set_aside (vosb vs sdvosb distinction, unrestricted requires affirmative evidence), and the solicitation_number vs notice_id distinction. It does not cover match_mode, leaving one enum undocumented in both places.

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 description states a clear verb and resource: search open federal contract opportunities from SAM.gov notices, presented as cards. It distinguishes itself from search_open_notices by noting results are sorted by posted date/deadline rather than match score, but it never explicitly says when to choose this tool over that sibling. Purpose is clear but sibling differentiation is only partial.

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

Usage Guidelines5/5

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

Rich conditional guidance: map trade words to NAICS prefixes with concrete examples, use NAICS rather than free-text keywords, pass both vosb and sdvosb for 'veteran-owned' but only sdvosb for service-disabled, use solicitation_number for reference numbers and notice_id for SAM notice IDs with the note that these exact lookups include closed records. This is explicit when-to-use guidance for parameters and modes.

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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