regulationsgov-mcp

MCP server for the Regulations.gov API. Federal rulemaking dockets, proposed rules, final rules, public comments, and comment period tracking.

Optional free API key for higher rate limits.

What it does

Exposes the Regulations.gov API as 8 MCP tools:

Core

• search_documents - Search proposed rules, final rules, notices with flexible filters
• get_document_detail - Full document details with optional attachments
• search_comments - Search public comments (by docket, document, or keyword)
• get_comment_detail - Full comment text and submitter info
• search_dockets - Search rulemaking and nonrulemaking dockets
• get_docket_detail - Docket metadata, abstract, and RIN

Workflow

• open_comment_periods - Currently open comment periods across procurement agencies
• far_case_history - Full lifecycle of a FAR/DFARS rulemaking case

Authentication (optional)

Works with DEMO_KEY (40 req/hr). Register free at open.gsa.gov for 1,000 req/hr.

Installation

uvx regulationsgov-mcp

Claude Desktop configuration

Without key:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "regulationsgov": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["regulationsgov-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

With key:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "regulationsgov": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["regulationsgov-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "REGULATIONS_GOV_API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example prompts

• "What FAR cases have open comment periods right now?"
• "Show me the full docket history for FAR-2023-0008."
• "Find all proposed rules from DARS posted in the last 6 months."
• "How many public comments were submitted on FAR Case 2023-008?"
• "Search for rulemaking dockets related to cybersecurity at DoD."
• "Find all SBA rules about size standards from the last year."

Important: case-sensitive filter values

Regulations.gov filter values are CASE-SENSITIVE. Use exact casing:

• Document types: Proposed Rule, Rule, Notice (not lowercase)
• Docket types: Rulemaking, Nonrulemaking
• Lowercase values silently return 0 results with no error

Companion tools

• federal-register-mcp: what was published in the Federal Register
• regulationsgov-mcp: the docket structure, public comments, and comment period status
• ecfr-mcp: what the regulation currently says after amendments

Together these three cover the full regulatory pipeline from proposal through public comment to codified rule.

License

MIT