Prerequisites: Install the CLI
This skill drives the govspend-pp-cli binary. You must verify the CLI is installed before invoking any command from this skill. If it is missing, install it first:
- Install via the Printing Press installer:
npx -y @mvanhorn/printing-press-library install govspend --cli-only - Verify:
govspend-pp-cli --version - Ensure
$GOPATH/bin(or$HOME/go/bin) is on$PATH.
If the npx install fails (no Node, offline, etc.), fall back to a direct Go install (requires Go 1.26.3 or newer):
go install github.com/mvanhorn/printing-press-library/library/other/govspend/cmd/govspend-pp-cli@latest
If --version reports "command not found" after install, the install step did not put the binary on $PATH. Do not proceed with skill commands until verification succeeds.
When To Use
Use govspend-pp-cli for source-backed public procurement and grant research:
- A vendor's recent federal award footprint.
- Recent awards by keyword, NAICS, PSC, or awarding agency.
- A quick federal agency spending profile.
- Public Grants.gov opportunity lookup.
- SAM.gov opportunity search setup or live search when a key is configured.
When Not To Use
- Do not use it to submit bids, grant applications, registrations, or vendor updates.
- Do not treat a missing result as proof that an award or opportunity does not exist.
- Do not use it for legal, procurement, compliance, or eligibility advice.
- Do not paste API key values into prompts, manuscripts, proof files, or pull requests.
Setup
USAspending and Grants.gov commands work without credentials.
SAM.gov opportunity search requires:
export GOVSPEND_SAM_API_KEY="..."
Recipes
Vendor Footprint
govspend-pp-cli vendor "Palantir" --since 1y --limit 5 --agent
Use this to summarize a vendor's returned USAspending awards, agencies, and categories.
Award Search
govspend-pp-cli awards --query "cloud migration" --naics 541511 --since 1y --limit 5 --agent
Use --dry-run first when documenting request shape.
Agency View
govspend-pp-cli agency NASA --since 1y --limit 5 --agent
Use this for a compact agency profile and recent-awards view.
Grants.gov Search
govspend-pp-cli grants --query climate --limit 5 --agent
Use this for public grant opportunity summaries.
SAM.gov Opportunity Setup
govspend-pp-cli opportunities --query cybersecurity --posted-from 05/01/2026 --posted-to 05/31/2026 --agent
Without GOVSPEND_SAM_API_KEY, this returns setup guidance. With the key configured, it calls the SAM.gov Opportunities API.
Source Coverage
govspend-pp-cli sources --agent
govspend-pp-cli doctor --agent
Use these before a larger brief to confirm source coverage and auth requirements.
Output Notes
--agent emits structured JSON. Results include source URLs and caveats because public datasets have publication schedules, limits, and revisions.