Search for organizations or individuals receiving federal funds by name or UEI (Unique Entity Identifier). Returns recipient IDs (UUID hashes), total award amounts, business type classifications, and location data. Recipient IDs from this tool can be passed to usaspending_get_recipient for full p...
Part of the Usaspending Mcp Server server.
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AI agents call usaspending_search_recipients to retrieve information from Usaspending Mcp Server without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though usaspending_search_recipients only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"usaspending_search_recipients": {}
}
}See the full Usaspending Mcp Server policy for all 14 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access usaspending_search_recipients gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Search for organizations or individuals receiving federal funds by name or UEI (Unique Entity Identifier). Returns recipient IDs (UUID hashes), total award amounts, business type classifications, and location data. Recipient IDs from this tool can be passed to usaspending_get_recipient for full profiles. Recipient level: P = parent organization, C = child entity, R = standalone.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Usaspending Mcp Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Usaspending Mcp Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for usaspending_search_recipients: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Usaspending Mcp Server. Nothing to install.
usaspending_search_recipients is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the usaspending_search_recipients rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for usaspending_search_recipients. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
usaspending_search_recipients is provided by the Usaspending Mcp Server MCP server (@cyanheads/usaspending-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 14 Usaspending Mcp Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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