capture-mcp-server

blencorp/capture-mcp-server

3.4

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Capture MCP is an AI-native Model Context Protocol server that integrates SAM.gov and USASpending.gov APIs to facilitate natural language queries for federal procurement and spending data.

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Capture MCP Server

An AI-native Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that integrates SAM.gov and USASpending.gov APIs to capture and analyze federal procurement and spending data through natural language queries.

Overview

Capture MCP empowers non-technical users to capture and query federal entity, opportunity, and spending data through LLM applications like Claude Desktop. It provides 10 specialized tools that can search, analyze, and join data from both government APIs.

Features

🏢 SAM.gov Integration (4 tools)

  • search_sam_entities - Find federal contractors and businesses
  • get_sam_opportunities - Discover contract opportunities
  • get_sam_entity_details - Get comprehensive company profiles
  • check_sam_exclusions - Verify contractor eligibility

💰 USASpending.gov Integration (4 tools)

  • get_usaspending_awards - Agency award summaries
  • get_usaspending_spending_by_category - Spending breakdowns
  • get_usaspending_budgetary_resources - Budget information
  • search_usaspending_awards_by_recipient - Find awards by company

🔗 Data Joining (2 tools)

  • get_entity_and_awards - Combine SAM entity data with spending history
  • get_opportunity_spending_context - Link opportunities with market context

Quick Start

Prerequisites

Installation

  1. Clone and install:
git clone https://github.com/blencorp/capture-mcp-server.git
cd capture-mcp-server
npm install
  1. Configure environment:
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env and add your SAM_GOV_API_KEY
  1. Build and start:
npm run build
npm start

Claude Desktop Integration

Option 1: Standard MCP Server

Add to your Claude Desktop MCP settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "capture-mcp-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/capture-mcp-server/dist/server.js"],
      "env": {
        "SAM_GOV_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}
Option 2: Desktop Extension (Recommended)

For enhanced branding with custom logo and display name:

  1. Create the extension package:
npm run build
zip -r capture-mcp-server.dxt dist/ manifest.json assets/
  1. Install the .dxt file in Claude Desktop by dragging the capture-mcp-server.dxt file to the MCP connectors section

The Desktop Extension format provides:

  • Custom display name: "Capture MCP Server"
  • Professional logo and branding
  • Rich metadata and descriptions
  • Enhanced user experience

Example Queries

Once integrated with Claude Desktop, you can ask natural language questions like:

  • "Find janitorial service contracts awarded to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in the past 6 months"
  • "What's the total federal spending on cybersecurity contracts in fiscal year 2023?"
  • "List all 8(a) set-aside opportunities from federal agencies posted in the last 30 days"
  • "What was the total obligated spending by HHS on cloud computing last fiscal year?"
  • "Show me recent contract awards for 'penetration testing' under $250,000"
  • "Find food service and catering contracts awarded to small businesses"
  • "What are the active landscaping maintenance contracts in Florida?"
  • "Show me building maintenance and repair contracts over $100,000 awarded this year"

API Documentation

SAM.gov Tools

search_sam_entities

Search for federal contractors and businesses.

  • Required: api_key
  • Optional: query, state, naics, uei, limit
get_sam_opportunities

Find federal contract opportunities.

  • Required: api_key, posted_from, posted_to
  • Optional: keyword, set_aside, state, limit
get_sam_entity_details

Get comprehensive details for a specific entity.

  • Required: api_key, uei
check_sam_exclusions

Check if an entity is excluded from federal contracting.

  • Required: api_key
  • Optional: uei, entity_name

USASpending.gov Tools

get_usaspending_awards

Get agency award summaries.

  • Required: agency_code
  • Optional: fiscal_year, limit
get_usaspending_spending_by_category

Get spending breakdown by category.

  • Required: agency_code
  • Optional: fiscal_year
get_usaspending_budgetary_resources

Get agency budget information.

  • Required: agency_code
  • Optional: fiscal_year
search_usaspending_awards_by_recipient

Search awards by recipient name.

  • Required: recipient_name
  • Optional: fiscal_year, min_amount, max_amount, award_types, limit

Join Tools

get_entity_and_awards

Combine SAM entity data with USASpending award history.

  • Required: api_key, uei
  • Optional: fiscal_year, award_limit
get_opportunity_spending_context

Link opportunities with historical spending context.

  • Required: api_key
  • Required One Of: opportunity_id OR solicitation_number
  • Optional: fiscal_year

Development

# Development mode with auto-reload
npm run dev

# Build TypeScript
npm run build

# Run built server
npm start

Testing with MCP Inspector

The MCP Inspector is a powerful debugging tool for MCP servers. It provides a web-based interface to test your tools without needing Claude Desktop.

Running with Inspector
  1. Install MCP Inspector globally:
npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/inspector
  1. Start the MCP server with Inspector:
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/server.js

  1. Open the Inspector interface:

    • Navigate to http://localhost:5173 in your browser
    • The Inspector will automatically connect to your MCP server

  2. Configure environment variables:

    • Click on the "Environment" tab in the Inspector
    • Add your SAM_GOV_API_KEY environment variable
Using the Inspector

The MCP Inspector allows you to:

  • View available tools: See all 10 tools with their descriptions and schemas
  • Test tool calls: Execute tools directly with a user-friendly form interface
  • Inspect responses: View formatted JSON responses and error messages
  • Debug issues: See detailed request/response logs for troubleshooting

Example workflow:

  1. Select a tool like search_sam_entities from the tools list
  2. Fill in the required parameters (e.g., api_key, query)
  3. Click "Execute" to run the tool
  4. View the response in the output panel

This is especially useful for:

  • Testing new tool implementations
  • Debugging API integration issues
  • Understanding tool schemas and responses
  • Demonstrating capabilities to stakeholders

Error Handling

The server implements comprehensive error handling:

  • Rate limiting for both APIs
  • Input sanitization and validation
  • Structured JSON error responses
  • Graceful degradation when APIs are unavailable

Performance

  • Token optimized: Responses filtered to essential fields
  • Rate limited: Respects API limits (SAM: key-dependent, USASpending: ~1000/hr)
  • Async operations: All API calls are non-blocking
  • Pagination: Default limits prevent oversized responses

Contributing

  1. Fork the repository
  2. Create a feature branch
  3. Make your changes
  4. Add tests if applicable
  5. Submit a pull request

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Support

For issues, questions, or contributions, please visit our GitHub repository.

Built with ❤️ by BLEN.

About BLEN

BLEN, Inc is a digital services company that provides Emerging Technology (ML/AI, RPA), Digital Modernization (Legacy to Cloud) and Human-Centered Web/Mobile Design and Development.

Happy hunting! 🎯