---
license: other
license_name: tensorust-sample-license
license_link: https://tensorust.com/datasets/setaside-recert-cliff/
pretty_name: "Set-Aside Recertification Cliff (free sample)"
language:
- en
tags:
- tensorust
- sample
- federal-contractors
- government-data
- finance
size_categories:
- n<1K
configs:
- config_name: sample
  data_files:
  - split: train
    path: sample.csv
- config_name: summary
  data_files:
  - split: train
    path: summary_by_set_aside_type.csv
---

# Set-Aside Recertification Cliff: free sample (Tensorust LLC)

Small-business set-aside contracts held by firms that now report a different ultimate parent, and what they lose at recertification.

**Headline:** Under SBA's recertification rule (13 CFR 125.12, effective Jan 17 2026) a small firm must recertify its size within 30 days of a merger or acquisition; if the deal brings in a non-small entity it can no longer exercise options or take orders on set-aside multiple-award vehicles.

This repository is a **free teaser**, not the dataset. It holds 25 example rows and a summary table with no names in it. The full file has **145 rows** and is sold by Tensorust LLC: **[https://tensorust.com/datasets/setaside-recert-cliff/](https://tensorust.com/datasets/setaside-recert-cliff/)**.

## Files here

| file | what it is |
|---|---|
| `sample.csv` | 25 rows of the full file (the same sample shown on tensorust.com) |
| `summary_by_set_aside_type.csv` | row counts and totals by set-aside type across the full file, no entity names (groups with fewer than 3 rows are folded into "Other") |

## Summary by set-aside type (largest groups)

| Set-aside type | rows | Remaining value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDE - TOTAL | 104 | 1,098,079,882 |
| SERVICE DISABLED VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE | 20 | 103,964,681 |
| 8(A) SOLE SOURCE | 16 | 103,443,989 |
| Other (groups under 3 rows) | 5 | 20,171,023 |
| TOTAL | 145 | 1,325,659,575 |

Full table: `summary_by_set_aside_type.csv`.

## What the full file has

- 145 rows
- Key fields: award_id, incumbent, incumbent_uei, sam_parent, parent_uei, parent_basis, award_type, start_date, end_date, award_value
- Parquet and CSV, a README with sources, method and limits, and the build script
- Free 25-row sample (no personal contact data)

Coverage: All NAICS; set-aside contracts and orders of $1M or more with action since FY2020 and a current end date Nov 15 2026 to May 31 2028; JVs, ANC, tribal and NHO parents excluded (separate affiliation rules). USAspending pull Nov 6 2026

### Columns in the full file

| column | meaning |
|---|---|
| `award_id` | Contract or order id |
| `incumbent` | Award holder |
| `incumbent_uei` | Holder UEI |
| `sam_parent` | SAM ultimate parent |
| `parent_uei` | Parent UEI |
| `parent_basis` | Where the parent link comes from |
| `award_type` | Contract award type |
| `start_date` | Start date |
| `end_date` | Current end date |
| `award_value` | Award amount (obligated) |
| `outlays` | Total outlays |
| `agency` | Awarding agency |
| `sub_agency` | Awarding sub-agency |
| `naics` | NAICS |
| `naics_description` | NAICS title |
| `psc` | PSC |
| `description` | Award description |
| `set_aside` | Set-aside type (latest transaction) |
| `potential_end_date` | Potential end date with all options |
| `parent_vehicle` | Parent IDV (vehicle) if an order |
| `multiple_or_single` | Multiple or single award |
| `option_years_beyond_current_end` | True when options run past the current end date |
| `remaining_value` | Award minus outlays |
| `parent_fed_obligations_fy25_plus` | Parent family federal obligations FY2025 to date (all recipients under the parent UEI) |
| `parent_recipients` | Recipients under the parent UEI |
| `rule_exposure` | Which 125.12 consequence applies |
| `incumbent_ontology_oid` | Ontology id of the holder |
| `parent_ontology_oid` | Ontology id of the parent |
| `source` | USAspending award page |

## Get the full file

| tier | price | includes |
|---|---|---|
| Target check | $2,500 | One acquisition target or portfolio company: every set-aside award it holds, the SAM parent, set-aside type, vehicle, current and potential end dates, remaining value and the 125.12 exposure per award, with USAspending links. |
| Full screen | $7,500 | All 145 set-aside awards at 77 small firms whose SAM ultimate parent is a different company, all NAICS, ending Nov 2026 to May 2028, with parent obligations and option exposure. |
| Diligence license | $15,000 a year | The full screen refreshed monthly with new parent changes flagged, unlimited target checks. For govcon diligence firms, M&A counsel and govcon private equity. |

Email **mattbusel@tensorust.com** with the tier and a billing contact, and we will send a proper invoice (ACH or card). The file is delivered once the invoice is paid. Details and the live sample: [https://tensorust.com/datasets/setaside-recert-cliff/](https://tensorust.com/datasets/setaside-recert-cliff/). All datasets: https://tensorust.com/datasets/

## Method and limits

Pull every set-aside award in the window, attach each holder's SAM ultimate parent, keep holders whose parent is a different company by name test, drop JVs and ANC or tribal parents, fetch award detail for set-aside type, vehicle and potential end date, sum parent obligations, join to the ontology.

Not proof of a recent acquisition (SAM shows the current parent, not when it changed), not a size determination (SBA decides size and affiliation), no legal advice, no contact data.

## Sources

- USAspending spending_by_award, awards and recipient APIs (small-business set-aside contracts and orders of $1M+, pulled Nov 6 2026)
- 13 CFR 125.12 (recertification after merger or acquisition, effective Jan 17 2026)
- Tensorust ontology (UEI join, FY2025+ recipient parents)

## License

The sample and summary here are free to view, analyze and cite with attribution to "Tensorust LLC, https://tensorust.com/datasets/setaside-recert-cliff/". The full dataset is licensed separately per tier. No resale or redistribution of Tensorust data without a written license.

Tensorust LLC, Tuckahoe NY. mattbusel@tensorust.com | https://tensorust.com