Temporary Help Services

NAICS code 561320 covers Temporary Help Services, one of the largest service categories in government contracting. This industry includes establishments primarily engaged in supplying workers to clients' businesses for limited periods of time to supplement the workforce. The employees supplied are on the payroll of the temporary help service but work under the supervision of the client.

Government agencies use temporary staffing extensively to meet surge requirements, fill gaps during hiring freezes, provide specialized expertise for short-term projects, and maintain operations during permanent staff vacancies. The flexibility of temporary staffing helps agencies respond to changing workload demands without the lengthy federal hiring process.

Major federal buyers include virtually every agency, with particularly high usage at the Department of Defense, VA medical centers, IRS during tax season, and agencies implementing new programs or systems. State and local governments also rely heavily on temporary staffing for clerical, administrative, and specialized functions.

Contractors under NAICS 561320 maintain pools of qualified workers ready for deployment, handle all employment administration (payroll, benefits, workers' comp), and ensure workers meet government requirements including background checks and security clearances. Many contracts require specific labor categories aligned with agency position classifications.

The size standard of $40 million reflects the scale of temporary staffing operations. Small businesses can compete effectively by specializing in specific skill areas, geographic regions, or cleared personnel pools.