How to Use the HigherGov MCP in Windsurf

Q: How do I install the HigherGov MCP Server in Windsurf?

Open /.codeium/windsurf/mcpconfig.json or use the Settings UI under Cascade. Add the server details to your configuration object and hit refresh. Cascade will automatically discover the tools.

Q: Will Windsurf download actual solicitation documents from HigherGov?

It does. Cascade uses getdocuments to pull the files attached to an opportunity. It can then read those documents to help you outline your proposal.

Give Windsurf direct access to federal procurement data. Cascade automatically tracks contracts, pulls documents, and profiles competitors.

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Connect HigherGov MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect HigherGov to Windsurf and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup HigherGov with Windsurf

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Perplexity

Windsurf MCP Server for GovCon Intelligence

The HigherGov server exposes 12 federal procurement tools directly to your IDE. You tell Cascade to build a pipeline for upcoming DoD set-asides, and it goes to work. It hits `list_opportunities` to find active solicitations, then calls `get_documents` to download the actual scope of work without you clicking a single link. Cascade doesn't just return a list. It chains tools autonomously to cross-reference those opportunities against your competitors using `list_awardees` and `get_awardee`. You get a structured analysis of who usually wins these bids right in your editor.

Automate Grant and Contract Research

The `list_grants` tool changes how you find federal funding. You set the parameters for renewable energy grants, and Cascade pulls the active roster. It immediately follows up with `get_grant` to extract the dollar amounts, deadlines, and agency contacts. Windsurf reads your local context, so you can ask it to draft a proposal outline based on the data it just found. It pulls the specific requirements from the grant documents and starts writing the response directly in your workspace.

Deep Agency and Competitor Profiling

Trigger `list_agencies` to stop guessing about government spending habits. If you need to know where the Department of Energy puts its money, ask your agent to investigate. It uses `get_agency` to pull the hard budget data and historical award trends. When you spot a massive umbrella vehicle, you want to know who holds the current paper. Cascade runs `list_contracts` and `get_contract` to trace the incumbent. You get the exact contract value, expiration date, and vendor details fed straight into your competitive analysis markdown files.

Setup guide

Set up HigherGov MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the HigherGov MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my HigherGov payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the HigherGov tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "highergov-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by HigherGov. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about HigherGov MCP in Windsurf

Open `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` or use the Settings UI under Cascade. Add the server details to your configuration object and hit refresh. Cascade will automatically discover the tools.

Yes. Tell Cascade to monitor a specific vendor. It will use `list_awardees` and `get_awardee` to pull their recent federal wins and active contracts.

It does. Cascade uses `get_documents` to pull the files attached to an opportunity. It can then read those documents to help you outline your proposal.

Cascade is autonomous. If you ask for a market report on VA IT contracts, it runs `list_opportunities`, parses the IDs, and automatically loops through `get_opportunity` to build the full report without asking for permission at every step.

No. This connection only reads public federal procurement records like grant details and contract awards. Windsurf pulls data down to your machine, but the sandbox prevents pushing your local proprietary proposal drafts back to the external API.

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