Benchmark category
IT Help Desk and Support
- Category slug
- it-support
- Taxonomy version
- 2026.08.1
- Snapshot
- 02fd02f92fe27e16
- Computed
- Oct 22, 2026
Awards recorded through Oct 22, 2026
Snapshot computed Oct 22, 2026
Withheld: 553 awards in the last twelve months against 63 the year before is a gap in source coverage, not a market change
Box: 25th to 75th percentile. Line: median. Whiskers: 10th to 90th percentile. The lowest and highest tenth of awards lie beyond the whiskers and are not drawn.
What the distribution shows
Half of the 801 comparable it help desk and support awards were worth less than $1,433,747, and half were worth more.
The middle half ran from $239,634 to $5,733,711. The 75th percentile is 23.9 times the 25th, a wide spread, so the scope of a particular requirement matters more than the category label.
The mean is $4,366,633, 3.0 times the median. A minority of large awards pulls the average up, which is why the median is the headline figure.
325 contractors won these awards from 37 awarding agencies.
Each figure is the total current value of an award, including modifications to date. It is not an hourly rate, a unit price, or an annual cost.
Over time
The median award value for each federal fiscal year, from the published price index.
| Period | Value | Awards | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2019 | 100.0 | 10 | incomplete coverage, thin sample |
| FY2020 | 54.0 | 12 | incomplete coverage, thin sample |
| FY2021 | 72.3 | 17 | incomplete coverage, thin sample |
| FY2022 | 83.4 | 25 | incomplete coverage, thin sample |
| FY2023 | 42.1 | 40 | incomplete coverage |
| FY2024 | 69.5 | 51 | incomplete coverage |
| FY2025 | 16.3 | 67 | incomplete coverage |
| FY2026 | 15.2 | 552 |
Full series, vintages, and revisions for the BidBenchmark IT Help Desk and Support Price Index
Measures
Three distinct measures, deliberately not collapsed into one price.
| Measure | p25 | Median | p75 | Awards | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current award value | $239,634 | $1,433,747 | $5,733,711 | 801 | Distribution of current award value across comparable awards |
| Potential value with options | $372,611 | $1,767,884 | $7,811,126 | 939 | Distribution of potential award value including option periods |
| Obligated to date | $250,743 | $1,353,268 | $4,929,862 | 818 | Distribution of total obligations to date |
By place of performance
Only slices that independently clear the sample threshold are published.
| State | p25 | Median | p75 | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $930,735 | $2,675,060 | $8,331,968 | 165 |
| District of Columbia | $581,652 | $3,087,759 | $8,067,954 | 159 |
| Maryland | $353,330 | $1,926,582 | $5,421,212 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $582,704 | $1,176,166 | $2,724,487 | 42 |
| Florida | $8,065 | $50,322 | $640,640 | 34 |
| California | $119,350 | $878,129 | $3,826,561 | 32 |
| Texas | $1,439,104 | $5,031,645 | $11,019,677 | 23 |
| Alabama | $34,716 | $1,460,114 | $6,430,412 | 19 |
| Georgia | $1,220,507 | $3,104,282 | $11,061,659 | 19 |
| North Carolina | $38,236 | $62,092 | $118,541 | 17 |
| New Jersey | $57,569 | $174,578 | $263,389 | 16 |
| Colorado | $231,309 | $1,085,874 | $2,624,483 | 15 |
| Ohio | $1,809,718 | $5,833,910 | $11,040,611 | 13 |
| Illinois | $941,750 | $7,413,116 | $12,670,849 | 10 |
| New York | $38,382 | $47,762 | $414,692 | 10 |
By awarding agency
Agencies with enough awards in this category to publish their own figure.
| Agency | p25 | Median | p75 | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | $529,954 | $2,901,192 | $8,842,488 | 264 |
| Department of Homeland Security | $55,731 | $161,112 | $1,399,667 | 125 |
| Department of the Interior | $319,069 | $939,483 | $2,186,216 | 68 |
| Department of Health and Human Services | $270,305 | $1,761,427 | $3,740,135 | 54 |
| Department of Transportation | $715,482 | $2,725,259 | $6,789,027 | 54 |
| Department of State | $8,659,343 | $23,370,648 | $42,658,853 | 38 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | $28,274 | $96,037 | $340,119 | 28 |
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $788,646 | $5,366,876 | $10,781,948 | 27 |
| Department of Commerce | $627,508 | $2,206,830 | $5,943,556 | 23 |
| Department of Justice | $197,746 | $276,990 | $329,755 | 18 |
| Smithsonian Institution | $310,295 | $564,019 | $881,374 | 18 |
| General Services Administration | $722,765 | $2,204,905 | $4,918,700 | 16 |
| U.S. International Development Finance Corporation | $2,223,489 | $4,497,389 | $6,351,447 | 11 |
| Department of Agriculture | $124,163 | $374,754 | $4,053,104 | 10 |
Typical awards in the sample
Counted awards closest to the median, under the same rules and outlier fence as the published figure.
| Award | Contractor | Agency | Place | First action | Current value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N0018922F1499 COMMUNICATION FIELD TECHNICIAN SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK. | GSTEK, INC. | Department of Defense | MD | Apr 9, 2026 | $1,433,747 |
| 88310325F00173 OFAS - PROVIDE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR ORDER FULFILLMENT AND ACCOUNTING SYSTEM (OFAS) - CHANGE THE COR/INVOICE APPROVER FROM TIMOTHY RHODES TO KEVIN PHELAN | ACELO SOLUTIONS, LLC | National Archives and Records Administration | MD | May 27, 2026 | $1,445,673 |
| 33330222FF0010273 TO ADD INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR NETWORK SECURITY ENGINEERING SUPPORT. | INFOSTRUCTURES, INC. | Smithsonian Institution | DC | Jun 14, 2022 | $1,450,580 |
| N0018921P0259 THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY INTENDS TO UPGRADE THE EXISTING AVAYA CM6 TELEPHONE SWITCHING SYSTEM AND CMM6 VOICEMAIL SYSTEMS AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY. | OPTIVOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | Department of Defense | MD | Apr 8, 2026 | $1,415,679 |
| 70RDA125FC0000029 IDENTITY CREDENTIALING AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (CHANGE ORDER) | DIGNARI, LLC | Department of Homeland Security | VA | May 6, 2026 | $1,453,548 |
| W91RUS25CA014 PROCUREMENT OF NON-PERSONAL SERVICES TO MAINTAIN UNCLASSIFIED AND SECRET INTERNET PROTOCOL ROUTER NETWORKS SERVICE AVAILABILITY TO FORT LEAVENWORTH CUSTOMERS. | SEVENTH EMERGENCE SOLUTIONS, LLC | Department of Defense | KS | Mar 5, 2026 | $1,456,672 |
| FA570225F0066 THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO PROVIDE COMMERCIAL INTERNET IN SUPPORT OF AL UDEID AIR BASE (AUAB) MISSION REQUIREMENTS AS DEFINED IN ATTACHMENT 1 - PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS). | BABYLON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC | Department of Defense | — | Apr 8, 2026 | $1,457,094 |
| FA821726FB287 THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER (SEQUENTIAL #0070) AGAINST CONTRACT: FA8217-25-D-B004 IS TO SUPPORT FMS CASELOAD FOR 58 CASES FOR MISSION PLANNING REQUIREMENTS PER THE CLINS LISTED WITHIN FOR THE PERIOD OF 30 APR 26-31 MAR 27. | ELB SERVICES LLC | Department of Defense | AL | Apr 30, 2026 | $1,460,114 |
| 140G0124F0207 70292205 DCS067 TSSC TO 118 NEW | KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC | Department of the Interior | SD | May 22, 2024 | $1,406,722 |
| 70T03026F7668N001 AN APPLICATION TO OPTIMIZE PERSONAL SECURITY PROCESSES. FOR TSO HIRING WHICH WILL AUTOMATE WORKFLOWS AND SUPPORTS COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING. | INDEV LLC | Department of Homeland Security | VA | Sep 21, 2026 | $1,399,667 |
Left out of this benchmark
Awards classified into this category that the published figure does not count, with the rule that removed each. The largest examples of each reason are shown.
| Award | Agency | First action | Current value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indefinite delivery vehicle: a ceiling, not an award value50 awards, 5 shown | |||
| 12405B24D0002 IT SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT | Department of Agriculture | Oct 16, 2023 | — |
| 19AQMM25D0432 CUSTOMER AND END USER SUPPORT SERVICES | Department of State | May 9, 2025 | — |
| 19AQMM26D0173 NETWORK AND TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES | Department of State | Feb 5, 2026 | — |
| 19AQMM26D0177 IT MANAGEMENT SERVICES | Department of State | Feb 2, 2026 | — |
| 19AQMM26D0178 IT MANAGEMENT SERVICES | Department of State | Feb 10, 2026 | — |
| No positive award value on record185 awards, 5 shown | |||
| 0001 200312!025681!2100!AB07 !USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !DAAB0703AD640 !A!N! !N!0001 !20030822!20070930!116202318!116202318!116202318!N!FC BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INC !8001 BRADDOCK ROAD, SUITE !SPRINGFIELD !VA!22151!74592!059!51!SPRINGFIELD !FAIRFAX !VIRGINIA !+000000242060!N!N!000000000000!D301!ADP FACILITY OPERATION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541513!E! !7! ! ! ! ! !99990909!C!E!N!N!Z!D!U!J!1!001! ! !Z!N!Z! ! !Y!A!N!N!F! ! ! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! | Department of Defense | Aug 22, 2003 | $0 |
| 0009 200403!000079!5700!GJ67 !WR-ALC/LXKC ISR MGNT DIR !F0960303D0095 !A!N! !N!0009 ! !20031230!20040630!008968708!116187758!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS NETWORK SYSTE!77 A ST !NEEDHAM !MA!02494!44140!021!25!NEEDHAM !NORFOLK !MASS !+000000531557!N!N!000000000000!J070!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/ADP EQUIP & SUPPLIES !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !811212!E! !5!A!S! ! !D!20070630!B!F!N!A! !A!N!J!2!002!B! !C!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !C!C!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! | Department of Defense | Dec 30, 2003 | $0 |
| 0012 200512!007048!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !DAAB0702AD634 !A!N! !N!0012 ! !20050908!20100831!112624056!112624056!008898843!N!TITAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION INFO!8400 CORPORATE DRIVE !LANDOVER !MD!20785!45825!033!24!LARGO !PRINCE GEORGE S !MARYLAND !+000000125000!N!N!000000000000!D304!ADP TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TRANSMISSION SERVICES !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !541519!E! !7! ! ! ! ! !20200930!C!E!N!N!Z!A!U!J!2!028! ! !Z!N!Z! ! !Y!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! | Department of Defense | Sep 8, 2005 | $0 |
| 0013 200512!008325!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !DAAB0702AD634 !A!N! !N!0013 ! !20050924!20030210!112624056!112624056!008898843!N!TITAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION INFO!8400 CORPORATE DRIVE !LANDOVER !MD!20785!45825!033!24!LARGO !PRINCE GEORGE S !MARYLAND !+000000581057!N!N!000000000000!D304!ADP TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TRANSMISSION SERVICES !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !541519!E! !7! ! ! ! ! !20200930!C!F!N!A! !A!U!J!2!028! ! !Z!N!Z! ! !Y!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! | Department of Defense | Sep 24, 2005 | $0 |
| 0046 200509!005340!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !DAAB0703AD625 !A!N! !Y!0046 ! !20050630!20060630!362051203!362051203!098060754!N!SYTEX, INC !2003 S EASTON ROAD !DOYLESTOWN !PA!18901!19784!017!42!DOYLESTOWN !BUCKS !PENN !+000002730602!N!N!000000000000!D301!ADP FACILITY OPERATION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541513!E! !7! ! ! ! ! !20200930!C!E!Y!N!Z!D!U!Y!2!001! ! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! | Department of Defense | Jun 30, 2005 | $0 |
| Above the outlier fence of $32,495,80182 awards, 5 shown | |||
| HC102820F0032 GSM-O OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINMENT | Department of Defense | Apr 2, 2026 | $769,992,207 |
| 19AQMM19C0135 VISA SUPPORT SERVICES (VSS) AT THE NATIONAL VISA CENTER (NVC) AND KENTUCKY CONSULAR CENTER (KCC) | Department of State | Sep 26, 2019 | $734,515,928 |
| SAQMMA17F3765 PASSPORT PRODUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES (PPSS)IGF::OT::IGF | Department of State | Sep 28, 2017 | $620,185,766 |
| HC102820F0500 GSM-O II MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF DODIN/DISN | Department of Defense | Mar 26, 2026 | $561,160,177 |
| 19AQMM24C0062 TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE ONSITE MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AND PROCESSING SUPPORT AT THREE (3) PASSPORT CENTERS, AND TWENTY FOUR (24) PASSPORT AGENCIES NATIONWIDE. BOTH INITIAL AND RENEWAL OF PASSPORT BOOKS/CARD APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED UNDER THIS | Department of State | May 6, 2024 | $495,029,373 |
Questions about this benchmark
- What do federal it help desk and support contracts usually come to?
- The median current award value is $1,433,747, across 801 comparable awards in the snapshot computed Oct 22, 2026. Half of the awards in the sample were worth less.
- How much do it help desk and support award values vary?
- The middle half of awards ran from $239,634 to $5,733,711. One in ten was below $38,236, and one in ten above $13,239,540.
- How has the it help desk and support median changed over the past year?
- No change is published. Oct 22, 2025 to Oct 21, 2026 holds 553 awards against 63 for Oct 22, 2024 to Oct 21, 2025; a gap that wide reflects how completely the source records are loaded, not a change in the market.
- Who buys the most it help desk and support services in the federal government?
- Among agencies with enough awards to publish their own figure, Department of Defense has the most: 264 awards with a median of $2,901,192.
- Which states see the most it help desk and support awards?
- By place of performance, the states with the most published awards are Virginia (165), District of Columbia (159), and Maryland (100).
- Which awards are left out of this benchmark?
- As the records stand now, the benchmark leaves out 50 indefinite delivery vehicles, 185 awards with no positive value, and 82 awards above the outlier fence.
- Is this a price per hour or per unit?
- No. Federal award records report the total value of each award, not hours, square feet, or units delivered. Two awards with the same value can buy very different quantities of work.
Related records
Derived from awards these records share, ordered by how many.
Industry codes in this category
Product and service codes
- DA01 — IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION/APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (LABOR)177
- D399 — IT AND TELECOM- OTHER IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS94
- DG01 — IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK SUPPORT SERVICES (LABOR)71
- DF01 — IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (LABOR)64
- R425 — SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL63
- R499 — SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER62
- R408 — SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/SUPPORT60
- DE10 — IT and Telecom - End User as a Service: Help Desk;Tier 1-2,Workspace,Print,Output,Productivity Tools32
Buying agencies
Places of performance
Further reading
- BidBenchmark IT Help Desk and Support Price Indexhow the median moves over time
- Guides to reading award data
- How benchmarks are computed
Related categories
Sources and method
Figures on this page are computed from public federal award records. Numbers are never estimated or generated; where a figure is withheld, the reason is stated rather than filled in.
Distribution of current award value across comparable awards. Indefinite delivery vehicles are excluded because their ceiling values are not comparable to individual awards. Values beyond 3 times the interquartile range outside the first and third quartiles are excluded, as are values of zero or less. A cohort is published only when at least 10 comparable awards remain after exclusions. Awards whose category classification is below the confidence threshold are excluded from these statistics.
- 1Computed from USAspending.gov, last refreshed Oct 21, 2026. Award records are United States Government works.
- 2Distribution of current award value across 801 awards classified into this category, as of Oct 22, 2026. Snapshot 02fd02f92fe2, code aacf4584192a85d5.
- Source data refreshed
- 18 days ago
- Metric definition
- current_award_value@2026.08.1
- Definition hash
- 47e351283780691d
- Page evaluation
- seo@2026.10.1
Note 1 applies to every figure on this page. These are award values, not unit prices: federal award records report obligations and award values, not dollars per square foot or per hour.