Search for newly awarded contracts by their award date (Action Date). Returns only BASE awards (Modification Number = 0), not modifications to existing awards. Use this when you need to find contracts that were actually signed/awarded during a specific date range (e.g.,
AI agents call search_new_awards to retrieve information from USASpending MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves/queries federal contract award information without modifying, executing operations, or affecting data. It is a passive search/lookup function that enables research and analysis of government spending data.
From the tool's definition Tool searches and returns contract award data from USASpending.gov API with filtering by award date; description indicates it 'returns' and 'search' operations with no modification, deletion, or execution capabilities mentioned.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search for newly awarded contracts by their award date (Action Date). Returns only BASE awards (Modification Number = 0), not modifications to existing awards. Use this when you need to find contracts that were actually signed/awarded during a specific date range (e.g.,. 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 search_new_awards: 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.
search_new_awards 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 search_new_awards 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 search_new_awards. 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.
search_new_awards is provided by the USASpending MCP Server MCP server (khowabunga/usaspending-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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