An application programming interface (API) is a software application that helps one application talk to a second application. The API is the messenger that delivers the request to the software provider that you are requesting it from and then delivers the response back. 

In SAM.gov, there are APIs available which provide software linkage to both the public users, account holders, and System Accounts.

An API key is a unique code that regularly changes; it is used to connect a user or system to an API. This unique key (code) authenticates the user’s or system’s identity, access, permissions, and roles for connecting. This connection can be running in the background or used actively to connect an API.

You can request a public API key from your SAM.gov account profile page, under the “Account Details” section. You must enter your account password on the "Account Details" page to view the API key information. If an incorrect password is entered, an error will be returned. After the API key is generated on the Account Details page, the API key can be viewed on the Account Details page immediately. The API key will be visible until you navigate to a different page. If an error is encountered during the API key generation/retrieval, then you will receive an error message and must try again.