RallyProp vs SAM.gov
SAM.gov is the official system of record for federal contract opportunities. RallyProp is an alerting layer that watches SAM.gov's R&D notices alongside 15 other funding sources.
The short answer
Should you use RallyProp or SAM.gov?
Use SAM.gov to register your entity, verify official notices and see every federal contract opportunity. Use RallyProp to be alerted when R&D, prototype and innovation opportunities that fit your company post or change, across SAM.gov and 15 other sources. RallyProp does not replace SAM.gov: entity registration in SAM.gov is required to receive federal awards.
- RallyProp
- Best for monitoring federal R&D and innovation funding across many portals, with push alerts and AI fit analysis.
- SAM.gov
- Best for complete contract coverage, official notice text, entity registration and award data. Free.
01 / Side by side
How does RallyProp compare to SAM.gov?
| Feature | RallyProp | SAM.gov |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Subscription alerting service for federal R&D, prototype and innovation funding | Official government system for contract opportunities, entity registration and award data |
| Cost | From $40/month; 14-day free trial, no credit card | Free |
| Contract coverage | R&D-coded SAM.gov notices plus all active DARPA notices; not every SAM.gov notice | Every federal contract opportunity, across all categories |
| Other funding sources | 14 more: DSIP SBIR/STTR, Grants.gov, PIEE, DIU, Army xTech, OTA consortia and DoD innovation hubs | Contract opportunities only; many OTA consortium and innovation-hub calls are not posted on SAM.gov |
| How you find matches | Intel Lanes built from your company profile; rate matches to train the feed | Keyword and filter search (NAICS, PSC, set-aside, agency, place of performance) |
| Alerts | Push (iOS and Android) and email, delivered in real time, twice daily or daily; SAM.gov is checked three times a day | Email when a new opportunity matches a saved Contract Opportunities search with Notify turned on |
| Change tracking | Alerts on status, deadline, field and attachment changes | Notice history and amendments on each notice page |
| Summaries and fit | AI summary, technology tags and AI Ideal Candidate Profile on every notice | Full notice text and attachments as posted by the agency |
| Entity registration | Not a registration system | Required to receive federal awards |
| Data access | MCP server and API for Claude and other AI tools | Public Get Opportunities API (API key required) |
02 / Details
What is SAM.gov?
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the U.S. government's official, free website for federal contract opportunities, entity registration and award data. Agencies post contract notices there, including presolicitations, solicitations, sources sought, special notices and award notices.
Companies must register their entity in SAM.gov to receive federal awards. Signed-in users can save Contract Opportunities searches and turn on Notify, which emails a link to the saved search when a new opportunity matches.
Visit SAM.govWhat RallyProp monitors on SAM.gov
- Active notices classified under R&D product and service codes (R4xx research codes, A-series defense, energy, space and science R&D codes) and selected IT development codes.
- Every active DARPA notice, regardless of product or service code.
- Solicitations, combined synopsis/solicitations, presolicitations, sources sought and special notices posted in the last six months.
- Checked three times a day. New notices, status changes, deadline changes, field updates and attachment changes generate alerts for matching Intel Lanes.
- Each notice gets an AI summary, technology tags and an AI Ideal Candidate Profile.
03 / Which to use
When should you use each?
Use RallyProp when
- You pursue SBIR/STTR, BAAs, OTAs, CSOs or prize challenges and want one feed across SAM.gov and 15 other sources.
- You want push alerts on your phone and AI summaries instead of reading every notice.
- You track several technology areas or clients and want a separate, trainable monitor for each.
Use SAM.gov when
- You need to register or renew your entity, or confirm your UEI and registration status.
- You pursue services or product contracts outside R&D codes, or need award notices and justifications.
- You need the official notice text, amendments and attachments before you submit.
Use both
Most R&D teams use both. Keep your SAM.gov registration active and treat SAM.gov as the source of record; use RallyProp to catch matching notices, deadline changes and amendments early, then open the official notice on SAM.gov before you respond.
04 / FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does RallyProp replace SAM.gov?
No. SAM.gov is the official system of record, and entity registration in SAM.gov is required to receive federal awards. RallyProp monitors SAM.gov's R&D notices and 15 other funding sources and alerts you when matching opportunities post or change.
Does SAM.gov send email alerts?
Yes. Signed-in SAM.gov users can save a Contract Opportunities search and turn on Notify. When a new contract opportunity matches, SAM.gov emails a link to the saved search. Notify is only available for Contract Opportunities searches.
Does RallyProp include every SAM.gov notice?
No. RallyProp tracks active SAM.gov notices classified under R&D product and service codes, selected IT development codes, and every active DARPA notice. Services and product purchases outside those codes, and award notices, are not included. Use SAM.gov search for full contract coverage.
How often does RallyProp check SAM.gov?
Three times a day. New notices and changes to status, deadlines, fields and attachments generate alerts, which you can receive in real time, twice daily or daily by push notification and email.
Is SAM.gov free?
Yes. Searching contract opportunities and registering your entity in SAM.gov are free. RallyProp starts at $40/month with a 14-day free trial and no credit card required.
Sources
- GSA Federal Service Desk: Can I get notifications on my saved searches? (KB0051519)
- GSA Open Technology: Get Opportunities Public API
- RallyProp coverage, schedule and alert options reflect RallyProp's production pipeline as of . Pricing: rallyprop.ai/pricing.
See what RallyProp finds for you before you sign up
Paste your company website. RallyProp drafts an Intel Lane and ranks live SBIR, OTA, CSO, BAA and SAM.gov opportunities for you.