In November 2024, Anthropic open-sourced the Model Context Protocol (MCP). MCP is a universal standard way for AI systems to connect to external data sources as opposed to maintaining separate connectors for each data source. Developers can either “expose their data through MCP servers or build AI applications that connect to these servers.”
MCP’s adoption has been fast. By its one-year anniversary, every major model vendor except Anthropic had already built support for it. Tech-Insider notes “It is a rare instance of direct competitors adopting a shared plumbing layer rather than each shipping incompatible proprietary versions” and “it is the main reason MCP now shows up in enterprise procurement conversations, not just developer blog posts.”
There is increased MCP activity among supply market research and information providers. A sampling of development announcements in July 2026: the IBISWorld (industry research) MCP Server went live and is available on Claude and Microsoft Copilot’s connector libraries, Crunchbase’s (private company/market intelligence) intelligence layer can now be brought into MCP-compatible environments such as Claude, ChatGPT, and other AI tools, and Reuters’ (news agency) MCP server brings news directly into customers’ AI workflows.
Among IT analyst firms, in April 2026, Forrester announced that clients can expect to integrate Forrester research into their proprietary systems through its MCP connector and IDC announced it is building an MCP server and is collaborating with Anthropic.
Early adopters include Beroe (procurement intelligence/insights), who in December 2025 announced the integration of its DataHub platform with the Model Context Protocol. In fall 2025, Dun & Bradstreet announced D&B.AI, a suite of AI capabilities including MCP servers and in spring 2026 launched new MCP capabilities for Dun & Bradstreet Data Blocks (specific data packages) including a dedicated Supply domain.
Government-specific providers made MCP announcements as well. In June 2026, GovSpend launched its MCP Server for access to its repository of government procurement data, which includes purchase orders, contracts, and meeting transcripts. In February, GovTribe announced the production launch of the GovTribe MCP server where users connect to GovTribe’s intelligence including reporting from publications under the GovExec Media Group.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
August 11, 2026
