# An Easier Way to Search SAM.gov: Victavio vs SAM.gov

> SAM.gov is the official, free home of federal contract opportunities. Victavio reads the same public notices every day, matches them to your business and explains each one in plain English. Here is what each one does, so you can use both well.

Facts checked October 28, 2026. Prices change. Check each company's site before you buy.

## What SAM.gov and Victavio cost

- SAM.gov: Free. Searching needs no account; a free account adds saved searches, follows on notices and interested vendor lists. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- SAM.gov: Saved searches can email you: select "Notify" under Actions in your list of saved searches. (source: https://www.grants.nih.gov/news-events/nih-extramural-nexus-news/2026/07/how-do-i-find-contract-solicitations)
- SAM.gov: Free. "Anyone may search contract opportunities without an account." (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- Victavio: Pro $99 a month; Team $249 a month with 3 seats. Billed monthly. Free for 72 hours; card required; cancel before the trial ends and you pay nothing.

## What you get for the price

Some services cost less than Pro on paper. Here is what each one lists, row by row, so you can compare on value too. "Not listed" means its pages do not mention it, not that it is missing.

| What you get | Victavio Pro ($99 a month) | FindRFP ($24.96 a month) | Bid Banana ($40 a month) | HigherGov ($41.67 a month) | BidSearch ($49 a month) | GravityIntel ($49 a month) | InstantMarkets ($60 a month) | CLEATUS ($78 a month) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Federal notices (SAM.gov) | Yes. Every agency on SAM.gov, read each morning. | Yes. Federal sites. (source: http://www.findrfp.com/service/faq.aspx) | Yes. Federal bids. (sources: https://bidbanana.thebidlab.com/pricing, https://www.bidbanana.com/) | Yes. Federal opportunities, forecasts and awards. (sources: https://www.highergov.com/, https://www.highergov.com/pricing/) | Yes. Federal bids. (source: https://bidsearch.com/) | Yes. SAM.gov, plus bids you add yourself. (sources: https://gravityintel.ai/, https://gravityintel.ai/pricing) | Yes. Federal bids among many public sites. (source: https://www.instantmarkets.com/) | Yes. SAM.gov, DIBBS, Grants.gov and GSA eBuy. (sources: https://www.cleat.ai/, https://cleat.ai/pricing) |
| Texas and other state and local sources | Yes. Texas ESBD plus 290 state and local sources. | Yes. State, county and city sites, plus Canada. (sources: http://www.findrfp.com/service/faq.aspx, https://www.findrfp.com/) | Yes. Says it covers 50 states and 4,000+ agencies. (source: https://bidbanana.thebidlab.com/pricing) | Yes. State and local opportunities on every tier. (source: https://www.highergov.com/pricing/) | Yes. State, local and education bids nationwide. (source: https://bidsearch.com/) | Partly. Bids you add yourself; a state and local feed is not described. (source: https://gravityintel.ai/pricing) | Yes. State, local and private listings. (source: https://www.instantmarkets.com/) | Yes. Says it covers 40,000+ state and local sources. (source: https://www.cleat.ai/features/opportunity-finder/find-state-local-contract-opportunities) |
| AI that explains each bid and scores the fit | Yes. A plain-English brief that quotes the notice, and a fit score from 0 to 100 with the reasons. | Not listed. Human editors check keyword and region matches; AI is not listed. (source: http://www.findrfp.com/service/faq.aspx) | Yes. AI document analysis, and Match ranks bids by fit to your profile. (source: https://www.bidbanana.com/) | Partly. An Opportunity Assistant answers from the documents; fit scoring is not described. (sources: https://www.highergov.com/sl/contract-opportunity/mt-master-ai-products-and-services-65036512/, https://www.highergov.com/pricing/) | Not listed. Keyword search; AI is not listed. (source: https://bidsearch.com/) | Partly. Bid Fit scores each opportunity; a plain summary is not described. (source: https://gravityintel.ai/) | Partly. AI summaries; fit scoring is not listed. (source: https://www.instantmarkets.com/pricing) | Yes. An AI summary of each solicitation and AI-matched opportunities. (source: https://cleat.ai/pricing) |
| AI that drafts bid documents and checks the package before you send | Yes. Drafts bid documents and checks the package, such as signatures and missing forms, before you send. You send it. | Not listed. (source: http://www.findrfp.com/service/faq.aspx) | Extra cost. Human proposal writing from The Bid Lab, sold separately; a package check is not listed. (sources: https://thebidlab.com/pricing/, https://www.bidbanana.com/) | Partly. "Generate a Draft" options; a package check is not listed. (source: https://www.highergov.com/sl/contract-opportunity/mt-master-ai-products-and-services-65036512/) | Not listed. (source: https://bidsearch.com/) | Partly. AI drafts proposal sections with a compliance matrix; a signature or forms check is not described. (source: https://gravityintel.ai/) | Not listed. (source: https://www.instantmarkets.com/) | Extra cost. Proposal Writer is on a quoted tier; a package check is not listed. (source: https://cleat.ai/pricing) |
| A business vault that fills in your company details | Yes. Your business vault fills in your company details on forms and documents. You review them. | Not listed. (source: http://www.findrfp.com/service/faq.aspx) | Not listed. (source: https://www.bidbanana.com/) | Not listed. (source: https://www.highergov.com/pricing/) | Not listed. (source: https://bidsearch.com/) | Partly. Drafts from your company records; filling forms with them is not described. (source: https://gravityintel.ai/) | Not listed. (source: https://www.instantmarkets.com/) | Not listed. (source: https://cleat.ai/pricing) |
| Team pipeline | Yes. Team plan: 3 seats for $249 a month. | Not listed. Individual accounts. (source: http://www.findrfp.com/service/subscription.aspx) | Partly. A shared team workspace; each person needs a seat. (sources: https://www.bidbanana.com/, https://bidbanana.thebidlab.com/pricing) | Partly. Pipelines and tasks; Starter is for one user, Standard covers up to 10. (source: https://www.highergov.com/pricing/) | Partly. Shared lists and simple tasks. (source: https://bidsearch.com/) | Yes. Owners, due dates and approvals; Team covers up to 5 seats. (sources: https://gravityintel.ai/, https://gravityintel.ai/pricing) | Partly. Saved searches and tracking; team seats are not described. (source: https://www.instantmarkets.com/pricing) | Partly. Pursuit management; the full capture CRM is on a quoted tier. (source: https://cleat.ai/pricing) |
| AI that fills bid portals in your Chrome browser | Early access. Early access: Victavio AI for Chrome fills bid portals in your own browser, by invitation. You press Submit. | Not listed. (source: http://www.findrfp.com/service/faq.aspx) | Not listed. (source: https://www.bidbanana.com/) | Not listed. (source: https://www.highergov.com/pricing/) | Not listed. (source: https://bidsearch.com/) | Not listed. (source: https://gravityintel.ai/) | Not listed. (source: https://www.instantmarkets.com/) | Not listed. (source: https://cleat.ai/pricing) |

## SAM.gov vs Victavio, feature by feature

| Feature | Victavio | SAM.gov |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free trial | Yes. Free for 72 hours. A card is required and is charged when the trial ends unless you cancel. | Yes. Free to use, so no trial is needed. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| Federal bids (SAM.gov) | Yes. Every agency on SAM.gov, read each morning, plus past awards from USAspending.gov. | Yes. The official source: presolicitation, solicitation, award and sole source notices from federal contracting offices. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| State and local bids | Partly. Texas ESBD notices today. The state and local sources named on our Coverage page. More state boards and local portals are in progress. | Not listed. Federal notices only. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| AI summaries of notices | Yes. Plain-English briefs where every line quotes the notice, checked in code. | Not listed. Not listed. You read each notice and its files yourself. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| Fit scoring or matching | Yes. A fit score from 0 to 100 with the reasons, sorted into four lanes. | Not listed. A fit score is not listed; you filter the search and read the results. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| AI assistant | Yes. Victavio Assistant answers and acts on your board after you confirm. It never submits or signs. | Not listed. Not listed. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| Team pipeline | Yes. A live team board where you see each other work. Team includes 3 seats for $249 a month. | Not listed. Follows and interested vendor lists with a free account; a team pipeline is not listed. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| Proposal or document help | Yes. RFI, Sources Sought and capability statement drafts on your letterhead, as PDF. | Not listed. Not listed. Each notice says how to respond. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |
| API or MCP | Yes. A developer API and MCP on Pro and Team. | Yes. A public Get Opportunities API; the key comes from your SAM.gov account. (source: https://open.gsa.gov/api/get-opportunities-public-api/) |
| Lessons for beginners | Yes. Interactive lessons, from SAM.gov registration (it is free) to your first bid. | Partly. Help guides, such as how to use the interested vendors list. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities) |

"Not listed" means SAM.gov's pages do not mention it, not that it is missing.

## What Victavio adds to a SAM.gov search

- Victavio: Plain-English briefs where every line quotes the notice, checked in code. SAM.gov: Not listed. You read each notice and its files yourself. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- Victavio: A fit score from 0 to 100 with the reasons, sorted into four lanes. SAM.gov: A fit score is not listed; you filter the search and read the results. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- Victavio: Victavio Assistant answers and acts on your board after you confirm. It never submits or signs. SAM.gov: Not listed. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- Victavio: RFI, Sources Sought and capability statement drafts on your letterhead, as PDF. SAM.gov: Not listed. Each notice says how to respond. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- Victavio: Texas ESBD notices today. The state and local sources named on our Coverage page. More state boards and local portals are in progress. SAM.gov: Federal notices only. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- Victavio: A live team board where you see each other work. Team includes 3 seats for $249 a month. SAM.gov: Follows and interested vendor lists with a free account; a team pipeline is not listed. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)

## Where SAM.gov is stronger

- It is the official source, and it is free. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- Agencies must post most planned buys over $25,000 there (FAR 5.101). (source: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/5.101)
- Free saved searches with email notifications. (source: https://www.grants.nih.gov/news-events/nih-extramural-nexus-news/2026/07/how-do-i-find-contract-solicitations)
- Follows on each notice and interested vendor lists. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)

## Who each one fits

- Victavio: Small businesses new to federal bidding, and small teams that want an AI to read each notice, explain the fit and draft the paperwork with them, at a monthly price with no yearly contract.
- SAM.gov: Every federal bidder: it is the official source of federal notices, and it is free. (source: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)

## How to use SAM.gov and Victavio together

1. Keep your SAM.gov account and your entity registration. SAM.gov registration is free, and federal awards need it.
2. Write down the filters of your SAM.gov saved searches: keywords, NAICS codes, set-asides and place of performance.
3. Start the 72-hour free trial and describe your work in plain words. Victavio suggests NAICS codes, and you pick your states, set-asides and keywords. A card is required; cancel before the trial ends and you pay nothing.
4. Rebuild each saved search in Victavio: search by keyword, NAICS code, PSC, agency, state, set-aside, notice type and dates, then save it to get new matches by email.
5. Open each notice on SAM.gov before you respond. Every Victavio notice links to its official page, and the official notice is the final word.

## Sources

1. SAM.gov: Contract Opportunities: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities (read 2026-10-28, public record)
2. NIH: How do I find contract solicitations? (July 2026): https://www.grants.nih.gov/news-events/nih-extramural-nexus-news/2026/07/how-do-i-find-contract-solicitations (read 2026-10-28, public record)
3. FAR 5.101: methods of disseminating information: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/5.101 (read 2026-10-28, public record)
4. GSA: SAM.gov Get Opportunities Public API: https://open.gsa.gov/api/get-opportunities-public-api/ (read 2026-10-28, public record)

SAM.gov is the U.S. government's own contracting site, run by the General Services Administration. Victavio is a Kilobytez LLC product and is not affiliated with SAM.gov or any government body.

## Related comparisons

- [GovTribe alternative: Victavio vs GovTribe](https://victavio.com/compare/victavio-vs-govtribe.md)
- [HigherGov alternative: Victavio vs HigherGov](https://victavio.com/compare/victavio-vs-highergov.md)
- [Bid Banana alternative: Victavio vs Bid Banana](https://victavio.com/compare/victavio-vs-bid-banana.md)
- [Every comparison, side by side](https://victavio.com/compare.md)
- [Victavio pricing: Pro and Team](https://victavio.com/pricing.md)

## Questions

### Is SAM.gov free?

Yes. Anyone may search contract opportunities on SAM.gov without an account, and SAM.gov registration is free. A free account adds saved searches, follows on notices and interested vendor lists.

### How do I get email alerts from SAM.gov?

Sign in, run your search and save it. Then select "Notify" under Actions in your list of saved searches, and SAM.gov emails you updates.

### What does Victavio add to a SAM.gov search?

Plain-English briefs where every line quotes the notice, checked in code. A fit score from 0 to 100 with the reasons, sorted into four lanes. Victavio Assistant answers and acts on your board after you confirm. It never submits or signs. RFI, Sources Sought and capability statement drafts on your letterhead, as PDF. Texas ESBD notices today. The state and local sources named on our Coverage page. More state boards and local portals are in progress. A live team board where you see each other work. Team includes 3 seats for $249 a month. Victavio Pro is $99 a month and Team is $249 a month with 3 seats, billed monthly, after a 72-hour free trial that needs a card.

### Do I still need SAM.gov if I use Victavio?

Yes. SAM.gov is the official source, and federal awards need a SAM.gov registration, which is free. Every Victavio notice links to its official SAM.gov page, so you can confirm each detail there.

### Is Victavio part of SAM.gov or the government?

No. SAM.gov is the U.S. government's own contracting site, run by the General Services Administration. Victavio is a Kilobytez LLC product and is not affiliated with SAM.gov or any government body.

Victavio is a Kilobytez LLC product.
Not a government agency. SAM.gov registration is free.